Go well Helen Kelly
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- Date published:
10:29 am, October 8th, 2015 - 60 comments
Categories: activism, Unions, workers' rights -
Tags: CTU, E Tū Union, helen kelly, TANJ
Helen Kelly was made the first life member of the new E tū union yesterday.
Helen is standing down from her role as President of the CTU due to health reasons (lung cancer), but will remain active supporting union causes.
Thank you Helen. If the rest of us were 1/10 of the activist you are, NZ would be a workers’ paradise.
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Glad she was able to witness the merger yesterday.
Whether one agrees with her or not, she has been a tireless worker. The “job” that was done on her by Brownlee and Jackson over the Hobbit stuff was mind boggling for its duplicity. Those who bothered to read the documents will know that both those parties perpetuated a lie and denigrated Kelly (wrongly) in the process.
It’s like those on the right who say with a straight face that their side doesn’t play the man, just the ball, didn’t bother to read the truth on this one.
When the right feel the need to attack someone personally you know they’re being got to. It’s badge of honour when the right do that.
Nice post. She is an inspiration.
Best wishes to Helen. Wish she could be cloned.
the term “role model” has been devalued by everyone from real estate agents to rugby players, but Helen is an example of what a good one is
she has taken on whatever local and international capital has thrown at NZ workers and supported union members and their communities in person, Pike River, Lord Jackson and the US studios, NZ’s dirty little secret–farm conditions, slaughter by contractor and Nat anti unionism
she embodies the true kiwi spirit from my perspective
best wishes to Helen
Did she actually smoke? Just curious about her lung cancer.
Did you try doing an online search instead of posting that here?
Nope.
@infused you don’t have to smoke to get lung cancer, sometimes cancers are just downright bad luck as in Helen’s case.
Yes, which is what I wanted to know.
[r0b: Helen has never smoked, as 10 seconds with Google would have told you. You are no longer welcome to comment on this post.]
This thread is clearly a tribute thread to Helen Kelly, not a thread to discuss your need to know more about what causes lung cancer. Take your discussion to Open Mike. Consider this a warning.
Further evidence righties have no empathy and compassion.
I know not ‘Infused’ your political preference, but your question is in disgustingly bad taste, and it beggars belief that anyone could be so lacking in decency.
Helen deserves caring compassion from all.
Infused’s contribution, unless I’m very much mistaken, was designed to be as hurtful as possible within comment boundaries.
Perhaps it’s appropriate that right wing malice be represented here, in some small way. Who would be a moderator?
I think this discussion was an interesting thread. But being respectful of the subject of this particular opinion piece, I’ve popped a comment on the issues surrounding people with lung cancer and other types of cancer being blamed for their illness on Open Mike. It sits at number 15.
Is that so you could feel extra self-satisfied and smug if she was a smoker?
How about a ban from the site? There was nothing innocent in that remark.
As
Chris BishopChris Bishop’s staffer is used to running these lines in defence of Big Tobacco, you can’t blame him for the instinctive reaction kicking in. He knows full well Helen never smoked.Back to stuffing your face at the Bellamy’s trough, mate.
I have the greatest of admiration for Helen Kelly as do many other New Zealanders …she is a ray of light and warmth for justice and equity for all New Zealanders!
She is a reminder of old New Zealand cherished values in the now Dark Ages under jonkey nactional
I have been following Helen Kelley on twitter and look forward to her tweets daily.
She is such a motivational person and as was said in the post makes me feel embarrassed for how little I do.
“She is such a motivational person and as was said in the post makes me feel embarrassed for how little I do.”
Ditto.
Honourable. Staunch. She has the courage of her convictions.
A great woman – determined, empathetic, a good heart and a good mind. All the best to her.
Despite personal health issues, Helen’s dedication to the rights of the Kiwi workforce, is an inspiration.
All the best Helen and thank you for your continued unwavering support of the workers of NZ. Take good care.
Kia Kaha.
Their is no one in recent history who have had the guts to stand up for worker rights.
Especially in addressing the horrific numbers Dying and being permanently maimed while working especially alot of those who are being killed by negligent employers are on low wages with little or no representation.
Work place mansluaghter which this govt continues to support a broken system which allows this to happen.
So this govt is an accessory to the crime by its deliberate neglect to fund prevention and prosecute those who have unsafe work places.
Helen is a Hero!
Etu. How about a campaign for the return of compulsory unionism?
Where’s the harm?
Best wishes Helen from all the members of the Cambridge Labour Party.
Once you are well again .as you will be, you can have a visit to our small but active branch.
THIS Helen truly is a champion of workers. A wonderful and caring woman. One of the few who will inspire others to go down the same path. I pay tribute to you, Helen Kelly, you are a true friend to all the workers of NZ.
Well said Hami.
In particular, the campaign for safety in the workplace has been truly magnificent.
Helen Kelly is the Kate Shepherd of today. The generations to come will be taught about her at school and there will be films/documentaries celebrating her achievements.
And she has shown extraordinary courage in facing her illness, publicly as well as privately. A grand person.
+1.
Helen Kelly is truly courageous, fearless with spades of empathy for people who need it. Absolutely inspirational. Good luck Helen.
You have done well Helen Kelly. An inspiration, in fact.
National is putting a rush on presenting her with a Dame-hood, right?
Oh yeah right… Key is racing for the photo-op with a hero of the poor working people…. because that’s where he came from yep ….
Key would rather sycophantise with that sycophant professional recreationalist Richie McCaw …. (he should avoid Key for his own good before it bites him more)
When she fights for the rights of the All Blacks and Red Peak then she will probably be on their radar.
paul holmes gong was rushed through. 😆
Can I ask…(?)… assuming these comments aren’t meant to be dripping in cynical irony? Wouldn’t it (just possibly – and yes, I’m coming from my own perspective) be a ground thudding screaming fucking insult to be offered such ‘dripping in establishment meaning and righteousness’ tokens of recognition?
Mine wasn’t Bill. I think she has earned a high place in the history books of the future.
Totally different. Your comment didn’t dance around the idea of an official honour being bestowed
Yes it would.
The establishment has always fought against the interests of workers.
Always.
I think the comments above are dripping in Key-dribbling over all blacks
Helen Kelly is a true New Zealand hero..
She stands up for those struggling at the bottom..
Go well Helen – inspirational
@VTO
I second that, and Helen Kelly is a true hero in my book too.
Helen has the qualities that I respect in a leader: integrity, sincerity, a sense of fairness and compassion. courage and determination. She is a fantastic role model.
+1
Helen Kelly would make the best possible Prime Minister of New Zealand if she was given the power to choose who else got to govern. She is a tremendous person who has spent her whole life trying to make this country a fairer place to live.
I disagree: she’d make a great PM because, far from excluding opposing voices, she’d take steps to let all arguments be heard at the top table.
100% agree
100% agree, the Kellys must be well proud, we need more of their ilk.
re lung cancer this is of interest from a small socialist state
‘Cuba’s Had A Lung Cancer Vaccine For Years, And Now It’s Coming To The U.S.’
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/14/cuba-lung-cancer-vaccine_n_7267518.html
‘Bringing Cuba’s lung cancer vaccine to the States’
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-08-cuba-lung-cancer-vaccine-states.html
…To date, CimaVax has been administered to 5,000 patients across the world, including 1,000 Cubans. Expansive clinical trials have been underway for some time now, with published data showing prolonged life…
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-to-study-cubas-lung-cancer-vaccine-what-the-world-can-learn-from-castros-health-service-10249474.html
Don’t usually post here, but this sadness makes me ask… I guess any possible options with the new immunotherapy trials for late stage lung cancer – Keytruda – have been tried? Overseas and work only for some at this stage but maybe some hope?
“Deeds, not stones, are the true monuments of the Great” (John Motley)
“There are two kinds of people, those who do the work and those who take the credit. Try to be in the first group; there is less competition there.” (Indira Gandhi)
A leader and carer of people, a true hero. Kia kaha Helen.
Thank you Helen for all you have done. You are a remarkable and inspirational woman.
Helen Kelly is such a clever, well-spoken, and strong advocate for worker’s rights. She continues to do a fantastic job.
Just look at this interview on Q&A around the middle of this year. She really knows her stuff. All the best to her and her family.
http://tvnz.co.nz/q-and-a-news/helen-kelly-video-6333099
Kia Kaha Helen.
Being a union leader in 2015 NZ is pretty much the same as being a Jewish rabbi in 1935 Germany, so she deserves credit for putting up with all the shit she put up with. Especially all those knuckle dragging cockies in Twitter when she drew attention to the condition of farm workers.
Message from CLEANGREEN on the Daily Blog to Helen Kelly
CLEANGREEN says:
OCTOBER 10, 2015 AT 11:46 PM
Bless this very courageous woman for her enduring care for workers safety & rights when she is battling Lung Cancer, as announced on “The Nation” today.
If anyone can reach Helen Kelly give her my recommendation to try H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide) Cancer treatment with IV administration with Vitamin C IV administration after. The IV Monographs can be found on Dr Majid Ali’s website for all cancer therapies.
http://aliacademy.org/dr_ali_course_on_cancer.htm
http://educate-yourself.org/cancer/ozonebymajidli17jul03.shtml
Hydrogen Peroxide kills cancer cells.
We need to save this marvellous lady.
I would be dead now if I didnt’ take IV treatment to support the immune system.
Helen Kelly is another Florence Nightingale, (lady with the lamp)..
– See more at: http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/10/10/helen-kelly-continues-to-be-a-human-rights-crusader-cannabis-reform-now/#comment-307476
FFS Chooky…. words fail me.
Really Chooky? I can’t believe how crass your comment is.
Moderators deleted other comments on this tribute post for questioning the cause of Helen’s lung cancer- it rankles to see this here – questioning whether, in the most polite term I can think of, Helen is on the most appropriate treatment plan.
@ miravox and northshoredoc (sic) depends on how open minded you are…you obviously are NOT! ….and quite paternalistic, authoritarian and chauvinist to boot ( I seriously hope you are NOT doctors…because your EQ or EI is fu.ked and you could do serious damage to people)
http://psychology.about.com/library/quiz/bl_eq_quiz.htm
(I did not question the cause of the cancer….cancer is cancer… no matter how you get it…I simply passed a message on from another well meaning commenter on another blog wishing … with great warmth and regard and care… Helen well and giving what he hopes is help, from his OWN experience…good on him! )
However I am told by a friend whose husband recently died of cancer ….that the worst thing is people and friends NOT talking about cancer and NOT talking to the person concerned about how they are and wishing them well!
… it made her very very angry that MALE work colleagues who had worked professionally with him for years ( people of very high IQ) could NOT talk to him at a personal level …he was quite isolated with his condition….she said it seems to be a particularly MALE syndrome!!!…
…of course Helen Kelly is a very open minded and strong minded woman …she will make up her own mind …as she has done about cannabis…
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/72923212/Helen-Kelly-says-Government-needs-to-get-real-about-medicinal-cannabis
no doubt you also disapprove of her freedom of choice!
🙄