20.—(1) Where in relation to two or more originating applications pending before the industrial tribunals, it appears to an industrial tribunal, on the application of a party made by notice to the Secretary or of its own motion, that –
(a)a common question of law or fact arises in some or all the originating applications;
(b)the relief claimed in some or all of those originating applications is in respect of or arises out of the same set of facts; or
(c)for any other reason it is desirable to make an order under this rule,
the tribunal may order that some (as specified in the order) or all of the originating applications in respect of which it so appears to the tribunal shall be considered together, and may give such consequential directions as may be necessary.
(2) The tribunal shall only make an order under this rule if –
(a)each of the parties concerned has been given an opportunity at a hearing to show cause why such an order should not be made; or
(b)it has sent notice to all the parties concerned giving them an opportunity to show such cause.
(3) The tribunal may, on the application of a party made by notice to the Secretary or of its own motion, vary or set aside an order made under this rule but shall not do so unless it has given each party an opportunity to make either oral or written representations before the order is varied or set aside.