Work Choices may be dead, but one aspect of John Howard's industrial relations plan lives on, with important implications for the university sector, UNSW's Professor George Williams argues.

Writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, Williams, who is Anthony Mason Professor of Law, says many uncertainties still exist about which corporations are covered by federal industrial law and which are covered by the states.

Thousands of local government, education, health, religious, charitable, childcare and other organisations - including universities - still do not know which jurisdiction their employees belong to.

Professor Williams argues more reform is needed to clear up the confusion and to bring about a truly national system of industrial relations.

Read the full transcript of the SMH opinion piece.