Fair Pay Agreements: Thank you Helen and thank you Michael
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10:14 am, October 27th, 2022 - 43 comments
Categories: employment, michael wood, Unions, workers' rights -
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Yesterday was a big day for the Progressive movement in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Fair Pay Agreements Bill made its way through Parliament and is now waiting for Royal Assent before it becomes law.
The motivation for the Law dates back to National’s mother of all budgets as well as the Employment Contracts Act. That Act was designed to severely attack the Union Movement and drive workers’ wages down.
It worked. The country has descended into poverty induced chaos ever since.
The Fifth Labour Government improved things somewhat. Working for Families meant that ordinary families coped better, but because of state support, not better wages and conditions.
There has been a lot of angst thrown at this Government. Why has it not improved things for ordinary people at a time when its power was as strong as we can ever hope for.
Well four reasons.
Firstly we have been through a one in a 100 years health crisis. We have come out of it pretty well. Compare our death rates to the US or the UK and then complain. Although the local debate does not occur with this context.
Secondly this Government has reversed the mother of all budget benefit cuts and actually went further.
Thirdly we now have fairly full employment and increasing wages. If it was not for the Ukraine war and internationally induced inflation then things would be improving dramatically.
Fourthly housing stocks are on the improve.
And now there is a fifth reason. The introduction of fair pay agreements is the most significant change to the Industrial Relations system since the Employment Contracts Act.
There are many heroes but two should be acknowledged. Helen Kelly who advocated strongly for this change and Michael Wood who did the hard work in getting it through.
The third reading debate was a joy. Grumpy right wingers promising to repeal the law if given a chance. Left wingers praising the change and pointing out the potentially significant benefits there are for ordinary workers.
During the debate Michael Wood said this:
This one’s for Helen Kelly. Over the course of this debate, we’ve talked about the people that fair pay agreements will help—those who clean, those who care, those who drive, those who serve—workers who, for 30 years, have been left out in the shadows of our deregulated labour market. And sometimes, when you know the problem, you need someone who will help to light the way, and Helen was that person for so many of us. Helen spoke directly about the problems; Helen spoke directly and issued challenges to those of us who could make a difference. She said to Rebecca Macfie, who wrote her biography, “We don’t need low wages in this country. There’s no excuse for it. People should be able to go to work, work their hours, and have a decent standard of living at the end of the week.” And, as Rebecca Macfie said, reflecting on that, “It was a matter-of-fact comment that belied a monumental ambition to shake up the movement she now lead so that it worked for all workers and to build the case for a law change that would stop workers’ wages being eroded in a competitive race to the bottom.”
Helen Kelly’s challenge was to all of us: it was to our economy, it was to decision makers in this House, and it was indeed to the union movement—to stop looking inwards and just looking after short-term interests, and to look outwards to the needs of the hundreds of thousands of workers who needed a change.
And Grant Robertson gave a barnstormer of a closing speech in the debate.
National’s promise to repeal the law when it regains power is the perfect reason for progressives to campaign heavily for a progressive government next term. The system once bedded in should be able to withstand right wing attacks. But next year it will still be vulnerable to right wing attacks. As will the aspirations of our poorest paid workers.
For the meantime this is a reason for celebration. Well done Labour Government.
43 comments on “Fair Pay Agreements: Thank you Helen and thank you Michael ”
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New Zealanders needing aged care support and the people who care for them will be worse off if the Government pushes through a flawed and rushed redesign of dementia and aged care. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt fails hundreds of workers as mills close
Labour is devastated at news hundreds of workers are set to lose their jobs following the closure of Winstone Pulp mills. ...1 week ago
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Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader and MP for Te Tai Hauāuru is devastated for the Ruapehu community following today’s decision to close two Winstone Pulp mills. “My heart goes out to all the workers, their whānau, and the wider Ruapehu community affected by the closure of Winstone Pulp International,” said Ngarewa-Packer. ...1 week ago
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National Party Ministers have a majority in Cabinet and can stop David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill, which even the Prime Minister has described as “divisive and unhelpful.” ...1 week ago
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Labour has complained to the Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission about the high number of non-disclosure agreements that have effectively gagged staff at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ from talking about anything relating to their work. ...1 week ago
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The Green Party is once again urging the Prime Minister to abandon the Treaty Principles Bill as a letter from more than 400 Christian leaders calls for the proposed legislation to be dropped. ...1 week ago
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Help us tell the Government that reintroducing military-style firearms should not be up for debate. ...2 weeks ago
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- Release: Labour congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki
The Labour Party congratulates Kuīni Ngā Wai hono i te po Paki on being crowned as the eighth Te Ariki Nui – head of Te Kiingitanga. ...2 weeks ago
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The Green Party is calling on the Government to intervene in the supermarket duopoly dominating our supply of groceries following today’s report from the Commerce Commission. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Rainbow youth neglected in mental health funding
Labour backs the call from The Rainbow Support Collective members for mental health funding specifically earmarked for grassroots and peer led community organisations to be set up in a way that they are able to access. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Transport in NZ has to be more than just roads
As expected, the National Land Transport Programme lacks ambition for our cities and our country’s rail network and puts the majority of investment into roads. ...2 weeks ago
- Foreign Minister to travel to New York, French Polynesia
Foreign Minister Winston Peters is travelling to New York next week to attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, followed by a visit to French Polynesia. “In the context of the myriad regional and global crises, our engagements in New York will demonstrate New Zealand’s strong support for ...11 hours ago - Thanking social workers on their national day
“Today, on Aotearoa New Zealand Social Workers’ Day, I would like to recognise the tremendous effort social workers make not just today, but every day,” Children’s Minister and Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence Karen Chhour says. “I thank all those working on the front line for ...14 hours ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Laos for ASEAN meetings
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg will travel to Laos this week to attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers’ Meetings in Vientiane. “The Government is committed to strengthening our relationship with ASEAN,” Ms Grigg says. “With next year marking 50 years since New Zealand became ...14 hours ago
- Members appointed to retail crime MAG
The Government has appointed four members to the Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee say. “I am delighted to appoint Michael Hill’s national retail manager Michael Bell to the group, as well as Waikato community advocate and business ...16 hours ago
- Speech to the New Zealand Nurses Organisation AGM and Conference 2024
It’s my pleasure to be here to join the opening of the NZNO AGM and Conference for 2024. First, I’d like to thank NZNO Kaiwhakahaere Kerri Nuku, NZNO President, Anne Daniels, and Chief Execuitve Paul Gaulter for inviting me to speak today. Thank you also to all the NZNO members ...17 hours ago
- Improvements for New Zealand authors
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says changes to the Public Lending Right [PLR] scheme will help benefit both the National Library and authors who have books available in New Zealand libraries. “I am amending the regulations so that eligible authors will no longer have to reapply every year ...2 days ago
- Minister commends Police for gang operation
Police Minister Mark Mitchell congratulates Police for the outstanding result of their most recent operation, targeting the Comancheros. “That Police have been able to round up the majority of the Comancheros leadership, and many of their patched members and prospects, shows not only the capability of Police, but also shows ...2 days ago
- New appointments to the EPA board
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds has announced a major refresh of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) board with four new appointments and one reappointment. The new board members are Barry O’Neil, Jennifer Scoular, Alison Stewart and Nancy Tuaine, who have been appointed for a three-year term ending in August 2027. “I would ...2 days ago
- Enabling rural recovery works in Hawke’s Bay
Cabinet has approved an Order in Council to enable severe weather recovery works to continue in the Hawke’s Bay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell say. “Cyclone Gabrielle and the other severe weather events in early 2023 caused significant loss and damage to ...2 days ago
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From today, low-to-middle-income families with young children can register for the new FamilyBoost payment, to help them meet early childhood education (ECE) costs. The scheme was introduced as part of the Government’s tax relief plan to help Kiwis who are doing it tough. “FamilyBoost is one of the ways we ...2 days ago
- Prioritising victims with tougher sentences
The Government has today agreed to introduce sentencing reforms to Parliament this week that will ensure criminals face real consequences for crime and victims are prioritised, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. "In recent years, there has been a concerning trend where the courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences ...2 days ago
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The first quarterly report on progress against the nine public service targets show promising results in some areas and the scale of the challenge in others, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “Our Government reinstated targets to focus our public sector on driving better results for New Zealanders in health, education, ...2 days ago
- Asia Foundation Board appointments announced
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointments of Hone McGregor, Professor David Capie, and John Boswell to the Board of the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Bede Corry, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also been appointed as an ex-officio member. The new trustees join Dame Fran Wilde (Chair), ...3 days ago
- Endeavour Fund projects for economic growth
New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund is investing in 72 new projects to address challenges, develop new technology and support communities, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. “This Endeavour Fund round being funded is focused on economic growth and commercial outputs,” Ms Collins says. “It involves funding of more ...3 days ago
- Social Services Providers Whakamanawa National Conference 16 September 2024
Thank you for the introduction and the invitation to speak to you here today. I am honoured to be here in my capacity as Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, and Minister for Children. Thank you for creating a space where we can all listen and learn, ...3 days ago
- Parihaka infrastructure upgrades funded
The Government will provide a $5.8 million grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “This grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will have a multitude of benefits for this hugely significant cultural site, including keeping local ...3 days ago
- Serious assaults down 22% in Auckland CBD
Cross-government action to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Auckland is getting traction, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Our central cities should be great places to live and work, but in recent years they have become hot spots for crime and anti-social behaviour. In Auckland, businesses and residents suffered as ...3 days ago
- Increased certainty for contractors coming
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says upcoming changes to the Employment Relations Act will provide greater certainty for contractors and businesses. “These changes to legislation are necessary to ensure businesses and workers have more clarity from the start of their contracting arrangement. It is an ACT-National coalition ...3 days ago
- Draft critical minerals list released for consultation
A draft list of minerals deemed essential to New Zealand’s economy and strengthening its mineral resilience has been released for consultation, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The draft Critical Minerals List identifies 35 minerals essential to economic functions, are in demand internationally, and face high risk of supply disruption domestically ...4 days ago
- Government eliminates $190 million in trade barriers to boost the economy
The Government has successfully removed trade barriers affecting nearly $190 million worth of exports to help grow the economy, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today announced. “In the past year, we have resolved 14 Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs), returning significant value to kiwi exporters. These efforts directly boost our ...4 days ago
- Reo Māori the ‘beating heart’ of Aotearoa New Zealand
From private business to the Paris Olympics, reo Māori is growing with the success of New Zealanders, says Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka. “I’m joining New Zealanders across the country in celebrating this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week, which has a big range ...5 days ago
- Need and value at forefront of public service delivery
New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...6 days ago
- Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting
Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...6 days ago
- New Bill to crack down on youth vaping
The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping. “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...6 days ago
- Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed
Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...6 days ago
- Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...6 days ago
- Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups
Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...6 days ago
- Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it
The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...7 days ago
- Targeted supports to accelerate reading
The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...7 days ago
- Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology
With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...7 days ago
- Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...7 days ago
- Driving structured literacy in schools
The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...1 week ago
- Labour’s misleading information is disappointing
Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says. “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them. ...1 week ago
- Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine
The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...1 week ago
- Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill
Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...1 week ago
- Government unlocking potential of AI
Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...1 week ago
- Government releases Wairoa flood review findings
The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...1 week ago
- Promoting faster payment times for government
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- Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech
E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward. Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...1 week ago
- Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses
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By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Fears of potential unrest on New Caledonia’s symbolic September 24 date have prompted stronger restrictions in New Caledonia and the deployment of large numbers of French security personnel. The date originally marked what France termed the “taking of possession” of New ...1 hour ago - West Papuan fighters who kidnapped Kiwi pilot propose terms of release
RNZ Pacific Pro-independence fighters in the Indonesian-ruled West Papua region have proposed the terms of release for the New Zealand pilot taken hostage almost 18 months ago. The armed faction of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) kidnapped Phillip Merhtens, a 38-year-old pilot working for the Indonesian internal feeder ...4 hours ago
- Budget 2024: Light at the end of the tunnel
The House - The government's maiden Budget is finally reaching the end of its long approval process, and it's going to be just in time. ...6 hours ago - How do ecosystems collapse? Our study shows evolution plays a role – and can delay a disaster
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Blake, PhD Student, Monash University Piyaset/Shutterstock Dying coral reefs, rainforests transforming into savannas, grasslands turning into deserts – these are ecosystem “tipping points”, boundary lines we’re desperate not to cross. In dynamic systems filled with life, these critical thresholds ...6 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The government has found many of its key measures stuck in a legislative quagmire, with both Greens and Coalition playing hardball with Labor’s plans. This week the government’s housing legislation has stalled in the ...9 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Goodman, Postdoctoral Fellow in Indigenous Health, CSIRO Digital technologies are transforming health care for all Australians, and this includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Electronic health interventions (eHealth) can involve features such as telehealth, instant messaging and mobile apps that ...9 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Justine Bell-James, Associate Professor in Environment and Property Law, TC Beirne School of Law, The University of Queensland Enrico Della Pietra/Shutterstock When Labor came to power federally after almost a decade in opposition, Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek pledged to turn around ...9 hours ago
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Two ministers have argued politicians' scrutiny - by Cabinet and Parliament - is enough, and the Attorney-General says it wasn't necessary to examine the changes. ...10 hours ago
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The leaders said that new partners could contribute to the so-called AUKUS "Pillar Two", which does not involve nuclear submarines. ...13 hours ago
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Well done Michael
Personally I marched against the Contracts Act of Bill Birch and National 30 years ago.
It started the race to the bottom with workers having to work for poorer pay and to not have any say about work conditions.
Helen Kelly and Michael Wood Thank you for fighting for Fair Pay Agreements. IMO this is huge.
Me too–marched against ECB.
FPAs are huge, because they open a door for working class organising. FPAs will need lots of work, nothing is being handed directly to people despite employers already catastrophising, whinging, bleating and threatening.
WFF always seemed off because it was another taxpayer transfer, rather than working class and middle class people obtaining their own pay rises from employers.
And it was unfair because those on benefits, discarded by Rogernomics and ground into the dust by MOAB, market rents & punitive WINZ/MSD were never eligible for WFF.
This is the hook that is needed to keep the Natzos and ACT out. It is traditional Labour type policy, big ups to Mr Wood.
Next big one to knock off is the reinstatement of a 21st century Ministry of Works. That would send the opposition into a real headspin.
Hell yeah. There's definitely a case for it and there could be several models for it. I wouldn't carbon copy the old one but I'd use it as an inspiration.
There definitely should be a government owned construction and development corporation, perhaps a smaller version of the old ministry of works that gets govt funded housing and project contracts or one that is able to compete with fletchers.
It could be done and managed well could be very profitable and beneficial to NZs housing and infrastructure crises.
Could provide full time work, or as full time as people want, and return some infrastructure management to the public. Contractors Fulton Hogan always seem to be busiest doing odd stuff when their funding allocation needs to be used up!
Anything owned or run by the state is anathema to the neolib idealogue, lets face it they want everyhing privatised from schools, hospitals, prisons, military, utilities, etc etc even welfare is privatised. Just look at Nicola Willis and Nationals latest idea of philanthropy funding welfare, just like back in the Victorian era. You can just imagine the tax deductability for the wealthy in a scheme like that.
Congratulations and thanks to Michael Wood and the whole labour party for delivering this blow against catastrophic neo-con nastiness. Chip by chip the hideous edifice neo conservatives have duped the world into admiring is being dismantled. Their avarice, lying and threats are blinking in the headlights as the steam roller rattles forward. The dictatorship of the salesmen is over.
It really is simple, anything other than 'a fair days' pay for a fair days' work' is akin to slavery; anyone who disagrees is therefore a supporter of slavery. We, and the National Party especially, should be ashamed that we have relied on exploited immigrant labour to keep wages low. I can only hope the new law will be a start in remedying that – and that Labour gets (at least) another term to entrench the legislation.
https://twitter.com/dbseymour/status/1585177451717857280?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
Easy to see who the 'enemies of the people' are.
The battle lines are being drawn for next year's election: Natz and Act for the 1% and their 9% enablers, and the rest of us bottom feeders championed by the Greens, Labour and Ti Pati Maori.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/historic-day-everyday-workers-fair-pay-agreements-bill-passes-third-reading
Act must be kept from the levers of power. Bottom Feeders Unite!!
A belated after-thought (which is why I never made a politician!)
Bottom Feeders Unite. You have nothing to lose but your poverty!
The only way they can get rid of this legislation is by more legislation.
Cynical?
By Rich capitalists for Rich capitalists?
Time will tell, but I think NACT doesn't realise we've left the greed of the boomer days behind.
We all want to do well for ourselves but I think the new breed of centre right voters (swinging voters) will, if they haven't experienced the outcomes of Ruthenasia) will have stood next to someone who has. And many will remember their own times in low paid jobs.
After two terms of Labour this could be Nationals election to win but it needs to rid itself of the horse and buggy thinking and there's no sign of that yet.
National hates Fair Pay. You’re essential workers to us.
Seymour is so far away from the average NZer he begrudges workers enough money to feed house and heat their families.The last 2 years have seen the wealthy increase their wealth exponentially while the middle classes are now going to food banks while most of the money printed around the world has gone to the very wealthy speculating on property causing more hardship for most of the worlds people.Seymour is advocating for more Tricleup policies.
“Unions by stealth………”
How long before we see the 2023 version of 'Dancing Cossacks' in the media……..the influence and power of the corporates and the constant whinging and whining of business and fed-farmers will be unleashed through the media in election year.
WELL fed-farmers at that. Theres been quite a few comments on here previously exactly how WELL NZ business and farmers…are actually doing ! Never mind their continuous "organ" grinding. IMO should really be the world smallest violin. : )
The smashing of the unions in NZ was driven by the corporate, business, farming and transport sectors that were in turn driven by the neolib idealogue politicians, financiers and bankers.
How dare some grubby faced coal miner, seaman, railwayman or engineer hold out for better pay………
sums it up well
https://twitter.com/RobbieNicol/status/1585143445282508800
Very good,thanks for sharing.
If its possible…that Helen Kelly is smiling somewhere…..it will be so.
She was a Brave, Stand-Up Leader..to me, and many Workers
And also big Respect for Michael Wood. He another Labour Star. Keep on this track Labour. We need you to STOP nact..from ever getting their poisonous claws on NZ again !
I love paraphrasing Grant Robertson.
"By design, the Tory's want to hurt working people."
Is their design ideological?
At this point the nat's look like a punch drunk Boxer
Was telling him indoors the Bill had passed its 3rd reading.
"Bloody marvellous!!" he said, 'Hope people use the legislation to agree their rights"
" Why has it not improved things for ordinary people at a time when its power was as strong as we can ever hope for !
Oh Mickey you are on fire you actually really believe this stuff and you suffer from delusion.
Reasons
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2022/10/theres-more-than-one-way-to-tame.html
http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2022/10/coming-home-to-roost.html
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2022/10/26/if-you-want-to-get-tough-on-crime-get-tough-on-poverty/
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2022/10/20/guest-blog-dr-dana-wensley-child-poverty-is-a-human-rights-issue/
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2022/10/25/drain-the-swamp-why-cant-labour-regulate-basic-capitalism/
https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2022/10/10/must-read-child-poverty-in-nz-what-is-the-truth-here/
Helen Kelly’s challenge was to all of us: it was to our economy
No its not our economy and hasn't been for 35 years and there is so much that could of been achieved to rectify that with a historic MMP majority but no change to the power of the 1 % and Lino and its enablers.
Full credit to Michael for this move but where is the safeguards to protect so many more in this plutocracy ?
Left wingers praising the change and pointing out the potentially significant benefits there are for ordinary workers.
What left wingers ? those that are ” left ” are no longer have any influence.
How about this as an idea no socialism, just basic regulated capitalism!
They just don't have the balls to be a real Labour government.
Read kiwi blog and the other far right web sites that call themselves the right.
To them what labour have done is full blown communism.
So if you don't mind I'll take this small win. One which makes the right this rabid has got to be better for workers.
Your right it's a small gain – but with the ideological rigidity of those who infest the civil service we could hardly get anything more.
The above is my opinion and sorry incognito not going to link to the david farrar loony far right dirty politics machine.
" Read kiwi blog and the other far right web sites that call themselves the right "
No I don't care what they spew out as nonsensical garbage.
I deal with the real world and the people who are economic refugees of this neo liberal repressive system that sells itself as protectors of freedom and democracy.
This Labour party is a long way away from what it was founded to do before it drank from the corporate cool aid.
Yes it is a small win Adam by a Labour government with a majority not seen since 1990 under FPP.
" ideological rigidity of those who infest the civil service we could hardly get anything more "
Know thy enemy while in opposition then exert authority….
The professional Managerial Class of Wellington Bureaucrats and the vested interests that control our economy.
When these 'reforms' were put through in the late 80s and 90s the Public Service departments showing ideological rigidity were mainly Treasury and for the State Sector SSC. They were captured very early on in the process with Graham Scott/Chicago school and for the State Sector 'Stan the man' or Stan Roger. These two depts were had to vet anything that went up to Cabinet/cabinet Cttees. We could not get anywhere. All sorts of ideas were used to get around this, such as Ministers taking material direct to Cabinet where their deps had not had a fair go. Ministers pushing material to Cabinet that should have been limited to the Cttees so that they could try to get allies on side against the 'puritans on the cabinet Committees. The two Ministers I worked for Nat/Lab worked hard against some of the worst neo-lib excesses as they applied to their depts.
Other departmental heads were appalled, I know of many who fought tooth and nail over the waste of talented people thrown aside in the endless restructurings in pursuit of Chicago school ideology.
Then came the quasi political appointments to the CEs of departments when we had endless numbers of appointments, many from overseas, who had a dearth of knowledge about NZ, its people, the departments they were working for……
Neo lib is a wily and poisonous creed. I think (perhaps hope) that now CE appointments are slowly turning back to talented NZers who have experience in the NZ Public Sector.
Of course some (home grown and imported) don't know the conventions about dealing with politicians in their role as Ministers etc, The most notable example being the former head of MSD who broke client confidentiality and advised, his NP minister, on the spurious grounds of 'no surprises', personal details of Winston Peters.
A truly wonderful development… though somewhat soured by the sense that Wood had to fight his own Government every step of the way on this. Why else would it have taken them so long?
DS because Winston refused to vote for it and Labour didn't have the numbers until 2020. Then we had a little pandemic.
The passing of the FPA is a great day. Like many of the so-called reforms back in the late 80s and 90s many people with commonsense could have told the Govts that these reforms cost, in human-terms, more than they gave back. And Grant Robertson's speech…..brilliant.
Now, ever onwards, looking at you Megan Woods, what can we do about energy costs? Can we do something to unroll the Bradford 'reforms'.
Always good to see, not, headlines like this. These changes have now come to pass.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/127889980/electricity-users-on-lowusage-plans-told-their-daily-fixed-charges-are-doubling
'Woods’ expectation has been that power companies would use the extra revenues to apply an equivalent reduction in charges paid by households that use more power, meaning consumers overall would be no better or worse off on average as a result of the change despite there being winners and losers.
However, the Government did not seek a guarantee from power companies that tariff changes would cancel out on aggregate.'
The removal would be 'broadly neutral' …such classic weasel words. They are either neutral or they are not.
Yes. Thank you Labour and Helen
The 4th Labour government was probably a bit unnerved by the 2000 winter of discontent – the un-elected neo-liberal regimes objection to moderate reform of the ECA.
Fair pay doesn’t create a fair life style ifall the increases go to landlords, there are no back yards and too much of a day is spent communing. If there is no access to safe local parks instead of back gardens and economical camp grounds to holiday at our beaches. There are other promises of our parents and grandparents bequeathment that go unaddressed.
Pay alone doesn’t provide the social compact that the members of this parliament enjoyed. Security and recreation for a day’s work.
Good job. More to do.
Yes and another is to limit the requirement to be available to work shifts to get jobs.
In former times people would volunteer to work evenings or weekends on top of their main job (if saving to own homes). Variable shift jobs were just a means to get rid of overtime rates – and they had a pernicious effect on community engagement – as to sport etc.
PS A rent freeze is an obvious move during high inflation.
There’re so many ways that little cuts here and there add up.
For example, you could try to out Christian the Nats on working on the Christian holidays and providing penalty rates on Sundays. Because the point of these days is a fixed point where you don’t belong to your job or the commercial cycle. You belong to your family, your home and yourself! They have a lot of members whose professed Christianity does nothing for Kiwis and kiwi families, but a lot for Crefflo Dollar junior. Abortion bans without mental health support. Rules and punishments without improving people’s lives. Business masquerading as holiness.
8 hours work, 8 hours rest, 8 hours recreation!
It’s not only the cost of rent, it is the design of the properties, cities and infrastructure.
How far to the supermarket, how far to the bus stop and train station, can you push a trolley or stroller along the footpaths, are other shopping and cultural amenities easily accessible, do young and old people feel safe on their own, how much additional time is taken in friction to accomplish survival tasks? A 15 minute walk to an amenity is not really good enough for many.
Let alone is it mouldy, is there enough sun etc etc…
The Labour-National agreement on urban intensification to 3 storey buildings the worst recent example of a lowering of standards. Doing to urban planning what the building reforms did, unto the consequence leaky homes.
Instead of building along transport spines, it could occur anywhere – regardless of local facilities etc.
great comment newsense.
*if all
*commuting