Guest post – Marja Lubeck – Labour list candidate

44 comments on “Guest post – Marja Lubeck – Labour list candidate ”

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1. Xanthe 1

   19 August 2017 at 9:35 am

   Thank you Maria great to have a personal statement of intent to think on. I can support your platform and i really hope you are influential in our next government
2. Heather Grimwood 2

   19 August 2017 at 10:54 am

   You are obviously a woman of integrity Marja, and not an easy seat. Every good wish.
   • mickysavage 2.1

     19 August 2017 at 11:16 am

     On current polling Marja will be a list MP.
   • Marja Lubeck 2.2

     19 August 2017 at 1:16 pm

     Thanks Heather. I’ve lived in the area since we found this great country school in Tomarata in 2006 and decided Rodney would be a great place for our son Max to grow up. However, Rodney is a big electorate and I’m learning more and more every day about the local issues. I am looking forward to being out campaigning in this safe National seat, to shake the complacency of the National Party candidate over issues that matter to Rodney residents. Some of these have been lingering for years, so you have to ask what if anything has been done to get their concerns heard…
     • Heather Grimwood 2.2.1

       19 August 2017 at 7:34 pm

       to Marja@ 2.2: I knew the electorate well as worked the Whangaparaoa /Orewa end for Chris Carter long ago, with contact phone in my house. That’s why I said “not an easy seat”.
       And to MS: yes I realise that things are looking good for Marja, and for my good southern friend Liz Craig, one of those I have worked for in recent years. “Go well”
3. Dot 3

   19 August 2017 at 11:35 am

   I agree with you Marja ,
   we certainly do not have the Kiwi dream,
   as the child poverty number is a disgrace.
   If not addressed soon, consequences will be magnified and problems made more difficult and more expensive to deal with .
   I hope that people will vote for our children, especially
   poor children, in the coming election as they deserve much better.
4. Marja Lubeck 4

   19 August 2017 at 12:50 pm

   Thank you all for the nice comments and the support. An aspect I forgot to mention is that I could never do this alone and it’s about team work. I am grateful for all the backing and encouragement from the people around me. And my husband and son who make it possible for me to work all hours and who have put up with often having to take a backseat to others’ needs. So I never have to settle for ‘good enough’. Because I believe ‘good enough’ is never good enough. Let’s do this 🙂
   https://www.facebook.com/MarjaLubeck/
   https://twitter.com/MarjaLubeck
5. Peroxide Blonde 5

   19 August 2017 at 1:12 pm

   Excellent! My type of girl!
   I saw her in action at the Willie Jackson gig she organised : the Orewa Speech. She was in COMMAND in a most charming way.
   What a contrast with the para military greaser Mark Mitchell who is the incumbent MP in Rodney.
6. Darien Fenton 6

   19 August 2017 at 1:23 pm

   Marja is a fantastic Labour candidate ; it’s really great to have a union organiser from E Tu there. Im looking forward to her being in Parliament.
7. Bill Drees 7

   19 August 2017 at 1:38 pm

   Her reputation with senior management in Air NZ is telling.
   The Airline has developed a mature and trusting relationship with Etu (and Marja).
   She knows how to play the long game by confidently and respectfully engaging on values and issues.
   Marja will be an excellent minister for Labour.
8. Armada 8

   19 August 2017 at 3:19 pm

   Rodney needs a great MP. Marja looks like she could be the business. Mark Mitchell MP is an arms scandle waiting to happen. Rodney is the fastest growing area in NZ and does not need an old fashioned conservative with a shady background.

   Labour needs a Labour Law advocate who cuts through to the wider population. Marja seem to be able to communicate at all levels: human, family, workplace, economic and legal.

   Marja seems to be able to bring Labour’s key messages together into a cohesive listenable narrative. She does this better than many of our front bench.

   Keep it up and we look forward to seeing you at the Cabint table.
9. Red Blooded 9

   19 August 2017 at 3:48 pm

   Wishing you all the best Marja, thanks for posting on here. Watching from the Far North so proudly voting for Willow-Jean Prime. Had 35 years with FARSA until 3 years ago so proudly offer a “Legacy” discount for guests. ;-). I hope you are part of the winning team in September.x
10. eco Maori/kiwi 10

    19 August 2017 at 4:46 pm

    Marja will a great MP inequality is every were in our country.
    The workers in the dairy industry need some one like her to help them.
    The people work long hours 430 am to 600 pm or longer 3 weeks on 3 days off .
    They work so long and hard on there first day off they just sleep all day and the workers have minimal time for there family’s or a life outside of work

    I no this because I was a farm worker and a manager. The dairy farm bosses like to employ submissive workers which is why they like Filipinos and not kiwis .
    One farm I was working on the hours were 20 hours a day this is true.

    He had 80% Filipinos when I got the shed running efficiently the dick of a farm owner sent another herd so I was still working 20 hours a day.
    You see he had 2 80 bail rotary sheds and 38000 cows to milk and no work roster.
    So if he got up set with you he would change things to make your job harder.

    You can not run a large team of workers and large herds when the boss is running
    the operation around his ego and no rosters for workers and no roster for cows.

    Its very un efficient hence the 20 hour days I stayed one month my wife made me leave..
    I was not arguing about that . I heard this farm went under because he was banded from hiring Filipinos by the labour department.

    This is one opperation that needed the kicks system Keep it simple but Its hard to talk to A ego that has the sun revolving around it lol
    This will still be happening some were in the country I like the Filipinos .

    I rebuilt the gear box in my truck with a Filipino 4 years ago they have rights to.
    It is unfair on the local workers if the Filipino are earning 10x what they make at home.
    And will put up with these conditions of work
    • millsy 10.1

      19 August 2017 at 5:17 pm

      People who support immigration need to remember this.

      A farmer has 2 job applicants:

      Bob live close by and will work for $20 per hour
      Jose lives in Manila and will work for $15 per hour.

      The farmer hires Jose. Farming wages in the area drop from $20 per hour to $15 per hour. New Zealanders dont want to work for $15 per hour because they have high living costs to deal with. Farmers them import Filipinos by the dozen to work for $15 per hour, forcing down wages in farming.
11. Incognito 11

    19 August 2017 at 4:53 pm

    Good post and I wish you well with the campaign and don’t be afraid to talk to fellow lefty campaigners in neighbouring electorates such as Helensville – there has to be a much more concerted effort in West-Auckland on a number of big issues such as (public) transport and major infrastructure.

    BTW, I assume you’re now a NZ citizen – you know what recently happened in Oz and in the past Harry Duynhoven had some troubles with his Dutch citizenship here too. I’d hate to see this happen to a good person who stands up for (the rights of) others!
12. TheBlackKitten 12

    19 August 2017 at 4:59 pm

    Its interesting that you speak of low wages that do not meet the basic costs of living but don’t address the issues that have created this situation.
    A. Contracts act introduced by the National Party in 1991 that was left almost untouched by a labour government during their 9 years of power. Is there any indication that a new labour government may actually address this issue?
    B. False economy propped up by welfare that subsidises landlords and employers such as WFF and rental subsidies. Why are employers not paying wages that meet the basic cost of living? Why are landlords not charging rent that is affordable for wage earners?
    C. Migration that has allowed thousands of migrants to flood into NZ that are willing to work for low wages and poor conditions because these conditions are far superior to their home countries. NZ kiwis have no choice but to work for the same low appalling wage.
    E. Cost of living – why are kiwis paying such high costs of the basics – food, housing (we kind of know the answer to this one).
    F. Minimum wage – so if jobs are scarce then employers can pay the minimum wage to a highly skilled worker who is desperate for a job. What is being done to ensure kiwis are paid fairly for theskills they bring to an employer?
    G. Slave labour countries and trade agreements that have seen jobs flood out the door by thousands.
    The best cure for low wages is plenty of jobs. The worst situation is an economy with too few jobs, not unions.
    Please don’t get me wrong, I support worker representation but lamenting back to the old days of unions of the 1930s is not going to address any of the issues of today. The Labour Party need to start thinking 21st century style. Here is a hint, How do we get fair pay for Kiwis that meets the cost of living that does not involve welfare prop ups and can survive the threat of jobs being palmed off to low paid overseas countries such as China? Tough I know, but its reality of 21st century living.
    • One Anonymous Bloke 12.1

      19 August 2017 at 5:26 pm

      Answer: unions: their members get paid more.

      You haven’t got a better alternative. That’s not a question.
    • Marja Lubeck 12.2

      19 August 2017 at 6:27 pm

      I have copied your questions, and put some answers below them. Happy to provide more clarification/context where needed.

      A. Contracts act introduced by the National Party in 1991 that was left almost untouched by a labour government during their 9 years of power. Is there any indication that a new labour government may actually address this issue?
      Answer: Yes, see Worplace Relations Policy for the 2-tier approach. 1). Labour will in its first 100 days: reverse the undermining changes made to the Employment Relations Act by successive National Governments. To name a few: reinstatement as the primary remedy, restore protection for vulnerable workers, restore the right to rest and meal breaks at work, restore the duty to reach an agreement in bargaining, restore the right for new workers to be covered by an existing collective agreement, restore access for unions to the workplace, restore fairness in the 90 day ‘fire at will’ law, restore the right for film and tv workers to bargain collectively (‘Hobbit legislation’), remove employers ability to deduct pay for low level protest action during an industrial dispute, etc. 2). Labour will within the first 12 months: start consultation on improving protections for minimum redundancy if restructuring, address legal rights for ‘contractors’ who effectively are employees but without the legal protections, double the number of labour inspectors to enforce employment law and prosecute breaches, introduce Fair Pay Agreements setting fair, basic employment conditions across an industry (eg the recent equal pay settlement), address job security for casual/seasonal/labour hire workers, etc.
      Plus: introduce 26 weeks paid parental leave.
      B. False economy propped up by welfare that subsidises landlords and employers such as WFF and rental subsidies. Why are employers not paying wages that meet the basic cost of living? Why are landlords not charging rent that is affordable for wage earners?
      Answer: The same policy outlines that Labour will increase minimum wage to $16.50 and work towards lifting the minimum wage to 2/3 of the average wage. As a good employer, Labour will pay public sector employees at least the Living Wage, extending that further over time.
      With the current employment law, we see bad employers undercutting good employers. Most employers want to provide good jobs, decent terms and conditions and fair pay. But an unfair environment created by 9 years of undermining employment legislation often makes this very difficult if the employer wants to remain competitive.
      C. Migration that has allowed thousands of migrants to flood into NZ that are willing to work for low wages and poor conditions because these conditions are far superior to their home countries. NZ kiwis have no choice but to work for the same low appalling wage.
      Answer: see B. Labour’s immigration policy together with the Workplace Relations Policy will start making positive change. It’s not the immigrants fault, but by giving bad employers opportunity to exploit these workers, terms and conditions across the board are eroded. Within the first 100 days Labour will also ensure that NZ employment law applies to all workers in NZ including foreign workers.
      F. Minimum wage – so if jobs are scarce then employers can pay the minimum wage to a highly skilled worker who is desperate for a job. What is being done to ensure kiwis are paid fairly for theskills they bring to an employer?
      Answer: ties in also with the previous answers. Reversing the changes to employment law will help with restoring the inherent imbalance of power between workers and employers. Labour is about good jobs, decent work conditions, fair wages. A high performing economy will deliver these but in the current situation due to the erosion of protections around collective bargaining (allowing bad employers to walk away from bargaining with their employees and picking off the workforce one by one) and undermining of unions, we have seen the opposite.
      G. Slave labour countries and trade agreements that have seen jobs flood out the door by thousands.
      The best cure for low wages is plenty of jobs. The worst situation is an economy with too few jobs, not unions.
      Please don’t get me wrong, I support worker representation but lamenting back to the old days of unions of the 1930s is not going to address any of the issues of today. The Labour Party need to start thinking 21st century style. Here is a hint, How do we get fair pay for Kiwis that meets the cost of living that does not involve welfare prop ups and can survive the threat of jobs being palmed off to low paid overseas countries such as China? Tough I know, but its reality of 21st century living.
      Answer: There are lot of different strands of thinking in your question but here it goes: Labour has for the past two years done a lot of work and research via the Future of Work Commission (led by Grant Robertson). It’s about new ideas, new thinking and new solutions. The working group has been doing great work to be ready for the ‘rise of the robots’ and the end of work as we know it. With the changing nature of work, we need to ensure that people who find themselves needing a change of career, get the support they need. Labour, unlike the current government, is looking ahead to the future. So hugely important to have the opportunity for training and re-training. Learning for life, 3 years fees free education.
      Within the first 100 days Labour will look at ways of employers and unions working together in collaborative models of workplace democracy to lift productivity. That’s workers, the unions, the bosses around the table solving problems together. It is a model that is successfully being used at Air New Zealand. Lifting productivity through worker participation in decision making. Higher wages are then easily offset by the high performance workplace. Everyone wins.
      • One Anonymous Bloke 12.2.1

        19 August 2017 at 7:05 pm

        About addressing the fact that people who lose their jobs also lose their human rights?

        Is Labour going to do anything to atone for its behaviour towards Metiria Turei, and by extension, the people to whom she gave a voice?
        • Marja Lubeck 12.2.1.1

          19 August 2017 at 7:32 pm

          Agreed on the importance of jobs. Decent work provides not only an income, in turn providing people with choices, but it also provides a sense of dignity in work, autonomy, skills gained, relationships. That’s why Labour will address insecure, undervalued and poorly paid work and why Labour believes that support for training and re-training is crucial where people see their work situation change. Three years fees free post-school education, lifelong learning.
          Labour’s Family Package is aimed at low and middle income families; delivers more money to families with children not the wealthier households, and reduces child poverty freeing up money to make the overdue investments into housing, healthcare, education. We need to have laws that incentivise people to stick by them, not break them.
          • One Anonymous Bloke 12.2.1.1.1

            19 August 2017 at 7:34 pm

            So people who are unemployed/”underemployed” will still lose their human rights. Thanks for clarifying that.
          • Incognito 12.2.1.1.2

            19 August 2017 at 9:39 pm

            We need to have laws that incentivise people to stick by them, not break them.

            I’m intrigued; can you give any examples and/or elaborate?
        • TheBlackKitten 12.2.1.2

          19 August 2017 at 7:50 pm

          What people did she give a voice to? People that rip off the welfare system? Tell me, do you also agree that a small business owner who is steuggeling to meet his or her wage costs and decides to fudge their tax returns to pay for it is also in the right? No I didn’t think so. Funny how people seem to only have sympathy for their interests and lack any ability to think on a broader scale. See I don’t see any difference between he two. You ither agree with it or you don’t.
          • One Anonymous Bloke 12.2.1.2.1

            19 August 2017 at 8:53 pm

            “Sympathy”

            🙄

            You cannot articulate the argument I’m employing to save your life, and you think you know about sympathy.

            No, I’m not going to spell it out for you. Metiria Turei and Marama Davidson already did that, and you’re still utterly clueless.
      • TheBlackKitten 12.2.2

        19 August 2017 at 7:32 pm

        Thank you for your reply however I still have concerns.
        You list a lot of rights that employees have lost due to not only the contracts act but also to high levels of unemployment that see employers having the upper hand due to the old supply and demand equation. When employees negotiate their contract, they are automatically at the disadvantage when unemployment is high. More jobs is the real answer. Good to see labour are going to address those issues re the contracts act but it will only result in job loss without having plenty of jobs available to support it. Why would employers put up with that when they can get it done in India for half the cost?
        Re the Hobbits situation (which is a good example to use). The issue with that situation was that you had many people that wanted to gain experience and who were prepared to work for crap wages and conditions to get it. The problem with the union approach to getting a fair days pay for a fair days work for those people was that the movie industry had the option to pack up and head to Eastern Europe where people are even more desperate for a job, and will work for even less that what the movie industry was offering people in NZ, hence those wanting the work experience missed out. And that is a classic example of where unions no longer work in today’s workplace. The same issues we faced with the Hobbits situation are the same ones we face with jobs flowing out of this country due to trade agreements and cheap offshore labour. As I said before, you need lots of jobs for wages and working conditions to improve. unions alone will not fix that. Trade agreements also need addressing. Stop trading with countries that have appalling labour conditions.
        We now live in a global economy with high levels of unemployment in developed countries and corporate dominance. These issues will not be cured by the union movement as they were back in the 30s. I think that the left wing movemement better start thinking along these lines if their intent is really to help working people.
        Hiking up the minimum wage will not address the issue of lack of disposal income. So you put the minimum wage up to 16.50 an hour, the person who gets 16.50 an hr now will need to get more too. So you are really increasing the wage costs in the labour market overall. The employer will simply increase the cost of their goods or services to meet the higher wage bill. If they just don’t just shut down and go to China. Do not delusion yourself by thinking they might actually take a cut in their profits to pay for this. Answer is lots of jobs and addressing the issues of the high costs of living in NZ. Why do we pay high food costs? What are the costs for putting a bottle of milk in the supermarket fridge compared to what the consumer pays for it? I bet the percentage markup is astronomical. Perhaps if we could get these basic costs to be more realistic we would not such high wages to live. Disposal income is what needs to be looked at rather than just higher wages. WFF and rental subsidies only make this situation worse as they prop up low wages and high rents, yet the Labour Party introduced and support these.

        I
        • One Anonymous Bloke 12.2.2.1

          19 August 2017 at 7:40 pm

          head to Eastern Europe

          So all the businesses will move overseas, no-one will ever make a movie here again (is this before or after the sky falls on your head?), and no-one in New Zealand will do anything to fill the gap in the market?

          Reality isn’t your strong point, eh.
          • TheBlackKitten 12.2.2.1.1

            19 August 2017 at 7:45 pm

            It’s not yours ither. Are you telling me that was not an option for the Hobbits situation? Are you telling me that if the movie people had done that that those workers would not have missed out on work experience (that they wanted and were desperate for) and a job?
            Tell me, anonymous bloke, what is your answer to this situation? If you were the PM, how would you saved these peoples jobs and got them good working conditions and at the same time stopped the movie people from heading offshore to cheaper labour pastures?
            • One Anonymous Bloke 12.2.2.1.1.1

              19 August 2017 at 9:01 pm

              I note that the internal emails on the subject released under the OIA make a mockery of “your” narrative. I suggest you read them so as to avoid further displays of ignorance and credulity.

              If cheap labour is all NZ can offer film-makers, then the solution is to smash the National Party into the ground and restore some dignity to the community.
              • TheBlackKitten …

                20 August 2017 at 8:35 am

                Yet you still fail to answer my question. What would you do if you were the PM? Try not to get so nasty about this as it only shows your frustration when dealing with reality.
                Eastern Europe was a viable option for the movie set and no I don’t know anything about any emails released under the OIA act. Perhaps you may want to actually provide some proof on that one.
                • One Anonymous Bloke …

                  20 August 2017 at 1:14 pm

                  What would I do about industry lobbyists looking for ways to change employment laws in their favour?

                  Are you for real? How about “nothing”? Question their access to Parliament, maybe…

                  As for proof of the OIA release, the word “mockery” in my comment is a link. Try following it.
            • Stuart Munro 12.2.2.1.1.2

              19 August 2017 at 9:06 pm

              Making new businesses in Eastern Europe is not always as straightforward as it might appear. There are reasons Hollywood doesn’t go there.
              • TheBlackKitten …

                20 August 2017 at 8:41 am

                I have also been told that doing business in China is also difficult, but it still does not stop the many thousands of corporates from sending their business over there due to the low labour costs. If the cost of labour is less then trust me, corporates will be prepared to jump through all sorts of hoops to do business there. More money for the old boys club bonuses will take pirioity over anything.
                • Stuart Munro …

                  20 August 2017 at 9:20 am

                  I’ve worked for a business in China and for a Primoryan industrialist – in China you need your own people – in former soviet territory you need security and a friendly local FSB chief – who must be paid for. If you don’t have them your business will be stolen out from under you. NZ businesses contemplating China should read the story of Golden Cat Cement – $200 million disappears into thin air.

                  Movies are somewhat vulnerable because they probably aren’t prepared to establish a long term presence.
                  • millsy …

                    20 August 2017 at 1:45 pm

                    I remember at work it was announced that the company I worked for had hired a Russian migrant as in-house company lawyer. My first thought was “they had lawyers and courts in Russia”?
            • millsy 12.2.2.1.1.3

              19 August 2017 at 11:50 pm

              That is the thing about the creative and entertainment industry. If you dont like the pay and conditions, there are literally thousands of people lined outside the door to take your place, seeking the glitz and glamour of working on a movie set (or in a studio).
              • TheBlackKitten …

                20 August 2017 at 8:44 am

                True. And there you have your demand and. supply equation. More people wanting the job than jobs for the people so pay and conditions will be crap and there is nothing a union can do to change that. Add the threat of moving the business to Eastern Europe and people desperate for a job will openly despise any unions that want to get them better pay and conditions.
                • millsy …

                  20 August 2017 at 1:08 pm

                  The Hobbit was never going to be filmed in Easten Europe. The scenery is what drives Jackson’s middle earth movies. A Hobbit series with a Eastern Europe backdrop would have tanked at the box office and everyone knew that.
                • One Anonymous Bloke …

                  20 August 2017 at 1:29 pm

                  Obviously no country with strong actors unions could ever have a successful movie industry. It stands to reason. Your logic is superb and very very convincing.

                  What’s that you say?
    • eco Maori/kiwi 12.3

      19 August 2017 at 6:31 pm

      9 Years ago When labour were in power the employers could not use the 90 day clause to sack workers. At that time the employers would have there backsides kicked in the employment courts and have to pay out at least $5000 to the employee so the employers treated workers with more respect . The disputes were mostly sorted out
      by labour department neutral reps.

      It was National that made the 90 day clause law and O 90 days is as long as calving lasts on a diary farm some people are sacked on day 89 with no written notice needed
      try and fight that in the employment court with just verbal evidence the employer
      will lie his ass off so the employee is stuffed

      As for the Filipino workers yes we have to stop the flow of these 3 world workers.
      But we should not kick the workers that are here out they should be payed fair and treated with respect

      Yes there needs to be a dairy union that will keep the dairy employer honest
      I thought about trying to set one up but we are just keeping a float our selves
      may be one day
      • TheBlackKitten 12.3.1

        19 August 2017 at 7:40 pm

        Are you also referring to the days when a small business owner could also be penalised for firing someone who stole from the company for failing to meet the many complex and long winded rules that employment law has become today. Yet a big corporate who could afford fancy employment lawyers could treat their staff like rubbish and get away with it.
        The Philippino workers are only there because they accept the crap wages and conditions because they are, believe or not, more superior to what they get in their homeland. The issue is, when they do that, we all have to do that. Answer, don’t let cheap labour into the country.
        • One Anonymous Bloke 12.3.1.1

          20 August 2017 at 8:22 am

          a small business owner could also be penalised for firing someone who stole from the company for failing to meet the many complex and long winded rules that employment law has become today

          1. Small business owners have no authority to determine guilt in cases of theft. Suspicion is not proof.
          2. If the law is too complex for you to obey, perhaps you should just get some personal responsibility.
          3. And stop whinging.

          I note that you have no problem with the unemployed being subjected to “complex and long-winded rules”. Raise the double standard.
          • TheBlackKitten 12.3.1.1.1

            20 August 2017 at 8:51 am

            I was right. You lack any ability to think of situations that don’t apply to you personally.
            Just as a last thought. No 2 could also apply to welfare fraud but I guess you willl only understand that if you have the ability to think outside of what suits you personally.
            Oh and no 3 definitely applies to all welfare fraudsters.
            • One Anonymous Bloke 12.3.1.1.1.1

              20 August 2017 at 1:40 pm

              You were wrong. You have no idea what situations apply to me personally. I’m just telling you how I feel about your scenario.

              I’ve seen far too many in-house accusations proved wrong to have any time for it.

              I see that you are attempting to show moral equivalence between actions motivated by greed and those motivated by need. Good luck with that.
13. Ad 13

    19 August 2017 at 7:56 pm

    Pretty impressive seeing a candidate take the time to engage in long form on this site.
    Thankyou Marja for fronting and engaging.

    If a Labour-led government does get in and there really is a strengthened hand to worker organization, tat will be a massive signal to everyone on a wage that the government really backs them.

    I think the effect of that would be pretty astounding.

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