John Key and POAL

Written By: - Date published: 1:26 pm, January 23rd, 2012 - 43 comments
Categories: class war - Tags: ,

In a couple of week’s time parliament will resume and the government will start its move on the POAL dispute.

The way I figure it John Key and his government can do nothing at all or they can respond in a variety of ways.

The former is not going to be an option – the port is moving on redundancies and contracting and the union is responding with an international black-listing. If the dispute goes this far it may well spell the end for the port.

I also suspect that John Key and his government have had plans for POAL for some time – the fact the management and board had planned to manufacture the dispute before negotiations even started and the nature of their political connections suggest to me that it would be unlikely the government didn’t have a heads-up on this debacle.

Which means it’s likely the government will do something. I’m assuming that none of these responses will favour the union members that are having their pay and conditions attacked so that just leaves anti-worker responses.

My pick is that the degree of response John Key and his government feel they can implement against these workers will be based on the strength of public support these workers have. If the government is seen as attacking working people the response will be muted, if the public are ready to lynch the union the response will be extreme (and may well have repercussions for working Kiwis beyond the port).

Perhaps the worst of these being considered by Key and his government is a plan to “unbundle” the ownership of the port from employment of port workers. Across all ports. This would have the effect of forcing contracting across all ports by law.

Thankfully, as I understand it, Key’s polling is telling him that, despite large-scale smear campaigns by the usual suspects, the public support for the workers is such that a full scale attack on them would be too politically expensive. Especially as another PR hit like the one Key took over the hobbit dispute would make it seem very much like he’s a PM who always backs big corporates over working Kiwis.

So instead of the king-hit they really would like National are going to have to settle for a lesser hit on port workers. My expectation would be that there will be some small change in law that stops contracting levels being set in a collective agreement. This may only apply to ports or indeed may only apply to POAL (although legislating for a single employer would be awkward, messy and downright bad law, this government has shown no fear of similarly poor legislation in the past).

Whatever John Key and his government decide to do, one thing is a dead cert – to a smaller or greater extent it will take us another step further away from closing the wage-gap with Aussie.

43 comments on “John Key and POAL ”

  1. POAL should merge with POT, otherwise it appears stuffed.

  2. Lanthanide 2

    “to a smaller or greater extent it will take us another step further away from closing the wage-gap with Aussie.”

    As I understand it, the top 1% in Australia earn a lot more than the top 1% do here.

    Also due to the simple averaging they use when they like to compare our wages to those in Australia, it’s quite possible that increasing the wealth of the top 1% of NZers make our numbers on paper look better.

    • Colonial Viper 2.1

      Sadly we don’t have the quality strategic thinking in this country necessary to close the income gap with Australia. More cows and more mines, to me, doesn’t quite qualify as quality strategic thinking.

  3. CV you know as well as I do that rip, shit and bust is strategic thinking for the bosses.
    Back to POAL, its no use relying on JK reading polls about public support for MUNZ.
    What is needed is physical evidence of mass support at the ports. Occupy our Port!
    Start building a mass picket now for the time when MUNZ workers are sacked and their jobs taken by contractors.

    • Colonial Viper 3.1

      Yep.

      • Gosman 3.1.1

        Okay then why don’t you go ahead and do it CV? A number of times you have been challenged about backing up what you say and you reply that you are going to do something. This seems like a taylor made opportunity for you. Help organise an occupy POAL. You can use some if that rag tag bunch that was moved on yesterday.

        • dave brownz 3.1.1.1

          Troller le troller la

          It can done, Occupy in the US is Occupying ports in solidarity with the ILWU. And those are ports that are owned by the 1%. Auckland is technically owned by its ratepayers.
          Actually the rag tag bunch as you put it wasnt moved on. Some were evicted, some arrested and others stayed put. All the attacks on Occupy don’t make it ‘move on’, it multiplies and goes from the parks into the key points of the economy.
          Its only a matter of time that the ragtag rebel army multiplies and overthrows the death star and all the pathetic cheerleaders like yourself and the mindless radio and blogjocks who live off the workers.

          • Gosman 3.1.1.1.1

            Yeah the Wellington Occupy crowd has been roaring success. Internal splits, intimidation of the public, lack of food and funding. I can see the momentum building from my office as I type.

            By the way i am responding to C.V’s implied suggestion that the Ports should be occupied. It is not my suggestion at all. I am just reminding him that actions speak louder than words because that is all he tends to be on issues such as these.

            • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.1.1.1

              I am just reminding him that actions speak louder than words because that is all he tends to be on issues such as these.

              😀

  4. beachbum 4

    A mass picket after the shit has hit the fan does not seem very effective. Its like complaining to the refereee after a game of football.

    Surely if there is support, it is aleady being shown?

  5. HappyGoLucky 5

    Screw John Key and his smiling and waving – what is David Shearer going to do about this? He’s the one who carries “The Standard’ for workers? (excuse the pun)

    • chris73 5.1

      Nothing (which is the smart thing to do) because he knows which way the wind is blowing on this

      • tc 5.1.1

        The breeze thats coming from the fan setup by the vested interests in privatising it out from under ratepayers.

        • chris73 5.1.1.1

          and your point is?

          • mickysavage 5.1.1.1.1

            Gee Chris do you need a road map?

            The point is that the manufactured “support” is coming from the rich or those who are not rich who are stupid enough to believe the crap being fed to us by the privatize everything make markets more free brigade.  Which camp are you in? 

            • chris73 5.1.1.1.1.1

              The camp that believes that because someone is “rich” it doesn’t mean they’re pricks

              • IrishBill

                Actually the polling I’ve seen shows support swinging behind the workers on this one.

              • Um I did not say that.  I said “the manufactured “support” is coming from the rich or those who are not rich who are stupid enough to believe the crap being fed to us by the privatize everything make markets more free brigade.  Which camp are you in?”

                So which camp is it? 

                PS I don’t mind people being rich. But I do mind when they become richer by looting community assets.

                • Draco T Bastard

                  I don’t mind people being rich.

                  I do because the community can’t afford them. This will become even more true as Peak Oil progresses.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    I’ll run with John Michael Greer’s line here. It’s not just the ultra rich we can’t afford. But also the well off middle class. This will become clearer as time goes along, and as the middle class shrinks.

                  • If the community can’t afford them, it’s precisely because they’re looting things that ought to belong to everyone, though. 🙂

                • Gosman

                  When did you stop beating your wife mickeysavage?

          • tc 5.1.1.1.2

            My point is amongst others that you are a very busy troll indeed. Pay well does it?

        • Akldnut 5.1.1.2

          HappyGoLucky must be worried jacking the thread this early, ahem….. its about Nationals perceived options not Labours.

  6. randal 6

    according to the pundits on 9-no-one this morning the sequence is privatise the port and shift all exports to tautanga or marsden point and akl becomes a small import port only and the land used for other purposes.
    if this is the case then it is doubly imperative that what remains is not parcelled out to the bloodsuckers in waiting.

  7. Fisiani 7

    There is an assumption here that the Government has to do sumfin. It does not. It’s not a Labour micro-manager government. The union has cost the POAL workers their jobs. Sad really.
    At least there will be jobs for others and I’m sure some of the POAL workers.

  8. Wetfootmammal 8

    New Zealanders will submit to a gradual erosion of individual rights because, like the Americans, most of us are ignorant and are don’t read. After the Employment Contracts Act 1991, a piece of crypto-fascist legislation was introduced with ease by the authoritarian right, anything is now possible. New Zealanders don’t value their rights. In a way most of us don’t deserve any liberty or rights because we don’t defend them.

    • Gosman 8.1

      Hmmmmm….. 1991 versus 2012. I’m pretty sure there was 9 years in there which had a non-National led government wasn’t there?

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 8.1.1

        I’m pretty sure there was 9 years in there which had a non-National led government…

        And a new Act written by Margaret Wilson.

        • felix 8.1.1.1

          …which is substantially better than the ECA but still an erosion compared to what existed before it.

          Sheesh do you fucking idiots need everything spelled out for you?

  9. Gosman 9

    When is the Union going to use their smoking gun over the ‘fact’ the managment is not engaged in good faith bargaining?

  10. indiana 10

    Andrew Little begged Helen Clark to intervene when Air New Zealand looked at contracting out its engineering division – did she intervene? No, so the EPMU caved. High expectation is that MUNZ will cave too, as they are getting no love from Len Brown.

  11. randal 11

    as hunter trhompson would say the politicians here are no better than grubby little ward heelers with the system set up so there is no countervailing power.
    and instructive example was the contrcting out of traffic cops so then the secuirty frims had no power to deal with boy wussers.
    thats the way its happening all over.
    al power and ability to do something difused to the ppoint of uselenssness while the grubby little ward heelers and there familiars steal all th emoney and pretend they are are of ahigher order of humanity.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • EV road user charges bill passes
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed the passing of legislation to move light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) into the road user charges system from 1 April.  “It was always intended that EVs and PHEVs would be exempt from road user charges until they reached two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Bill targets illegal, unregulated fishing in international waters
    New Zealand is strengthening its ability to combat illegal fishing outside its domestic waters and beef up regulation for its own commercial fishers in international waters through a Bill which had its first reading in Parliament today. The Fisheries (International Fishing and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 2023 sets out stronger ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Reserve Bank appointments
    Economists Carl Hansen and Professor Prasanna Gai have been appointed to the Reserve Bank Monetary Policy Committee, Finance Minister Nicola Willis announced today. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is the independent decision-making body that sets the Official Cash Rate which determines interest rates.  Carl Hansen, the executive director of Capital ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Stronger protections for apartment owners
    Apartment owners and buyers will soon have greater protections as further changes to the law on unit titles come into effect, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The Unit Titles (Strengthening Body Corporate Governance and Other Matters) Amendment Act had already introduced some changes in December 2022 and May 2023, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Travel focused on traditional partners and Middle East
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Egypt and Europe from this weekend.    “This travel will focus on a range of New Zealand’s traditional diplomatic and security partnerships while enabling broad engagement on the urgent situation in Gaza,” Mr Peters says.   Mr Peters will attend the NATO Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Keep safe on our roads this Easter
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown is encouraging all road users to stay safe, plan their journeys ahead of time, and be patient with other drivers while travelling around this Easter long weekend. “Road safety is a responsibility we all share, and with increased traffic on our roads expected this Easter we ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for over 1.4 million Kiwis
    About 1.4 million New Zealanders will receive cost of living relief through increased government assistance from April 1 909,000 pensioners get a boost to Superannuation, including 5000 veterans 371,000 working-age beneficiaries will get higher payments 45,000 students will see an increase in their allowance Over a quarter of New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Tenancy reviews for social housing restart
    Ensuring social housing is being provided to those with the greatest needs is front of mind as the Government restarts social housing tenancy reviews, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. “Our relentless focus on building a strong economy is to ensure we can deliver better public services such as social ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary plan halted
    The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary will not go ahead, with Cabinet deciding to stop work on the proposed reserve and remove the Bill that would have established it from Parliament’s order paper. “The Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary Bill would have created a 620,000 sq km economic no-go zone,” Oceans and Fisheries Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Cutting all that dam red tape
    Dam safety regulations are being amended so that smaller dams won’t be subject to excessive compliance costs, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on reducing costs and removing unnecessary red tape so we can get the economy back on track.  “Dam safety regulations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Drought support extended to parts of North Island
    The coalition Government is expanding the medium-scale adverse event classification to parts of the North Island as dry weather conditions persist, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today. “I have made the decision to expand the medium-scale adverse event classification already in place for parts of the South Island to also cover the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Passage of major tax bill welcomed
    The passing of legislation giving effect to coalition Government tax commitments has been welcomed by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “The Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill will help place New Zealand on a more secure economic footing, improve outcomes for New Zealanders, and make our tax system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Lifting economy through science, tertiary sectors
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds today announced plans to transform our science and university sectors to boost the economy. Two advisory groups, chaired by Professor Sir Peter Gluckman, will advise the Government on how these sectors can play a greater ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government announces Budget priorities
    The Budget will deliver urgently-needed tax relief to hard-working New Zealanders while putting the government’s finances back on a sustainable track, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  The Finance Minister made the comments at the release of the Budget Policy Statement setting out the Government’s Budget objectives. “The coalition Government intends ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to consider accommodation solution
    The coalition Government will look at options to address a zoning issue that limits how much financial support Queenstown residents can get for accommodation. Cabinet has agreed on a response to the Petitions Committee, which had recommended the geographic information MSD uses to determine how much accommodation supplement can be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government approves extension to Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
    Cabinet has agreed to a short extension to the final reporting timeframe for the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care from 28 March 2024 to 26 June 2024, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.                                         “The Royal Commission wrote to me on 16 February 2024, requesting that I consider an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • $18m boost for Kiwis travelling to health treatment
    The coalition Government is delivering an $18 million boost to New Zealanders needing to travel for specialist health treatment, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says.   “These changes are long overdue – the National Travel Assistance (NTA) scheme saw its last increase to mileage and accommodation rates way back in 2009.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM’s Prizes for Space to showcase sector’s talent
    The Government is recognising the innovative and rising talent in New Zealand’s growing space sector, with the Prime Minister and Space Minister Judith Collins announcing the new Prime Minister’s Prizes for Space today. “New Zealand has a growing reputation as a high-value partner for space missions and research. I am ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Concerns conveyed to China over cyber activity
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government.     “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity, attributed to groups sponsored by the Chinese Government, targeting democratic institutions in both New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry
    Independent Reviewers appointed for School Property Inquiry Education Minister Erica Stanford today announced the appointment of three independent reviewers to lead the Ministerial Inquiry into the Ministry of Education’s School Property Function.  The Inquiry will be led by former Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully. “There is a clear need ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Brynderwyns open for Easter
    State Highway 1 across the Brynderwyns will be open for Easter weekend, with work currently underway to ensure the resilience of this critical route being paused for Easter Weekend to allow holiday makers to travel north, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Today I visited the Brynderwyn Hills construction site, where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech to the Infrastructure Funding & Financing Conference
    Introduction Good morning to you all, and thanks for having me bright and early today. I am absolutely delighted to be the Minister for Infrastructure alongside the Minister of Housing and Resource Management Reform. I know the Prime Minister sees the three roles as closely connected and he wants me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Parliamentary network breached by the PRC
    New Zealand stands with the United Kingdom in its condemnation of People’s Republic of China (PRC) state-backed malicious cyber activity impacting its Electoral Commission and targeting Members of the UK Parliament. “The use of cyber-enabled espionage operations to interfere with democratic institutions and processes anywhere is unacceptable,” Minister Responsible for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ to provide support for Solomon Islands election
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced New Zealand will provide logistics support for the upcoming Solomon Islands election. “We’re sending a team of New Zealand Defence Force personnel and two NH90 helicopters to provide logistics support for the election on 17 April, at the request ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ-EU FTA gains Royal Assent for 1 May entry to force
    The European Union Free Trade Agreement Legislation Amendment Bill received Royal Assent today, completing the process for New Zealand’s ratification of its free trade agreement with the European Union.    “I am pleased to announce that today, in a small ceremony at the Beehive, New Zealand notified the European Union ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • COVID-19 inquiry attracts 11,000 submissions
    Public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has concluded, Internal Affairs Minister Hon Brooke van Velden says.  “I have been advised that there were over 11,000 submissions made through the Royal Commission’s online consultation portal.” Expanding the scope of the Royal Commission of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Families to receive up to $75 a week help with ECE fees
    Hardworking families are set to benefit from a new credit to help them meet their early childcare education (ECE) costs, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. From 1 July, parents and caregivers of young children will be supported to manage the rising cost of living with a partial reimbursement of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Unlocking a sustainable, low-emissions future
    A specialised Independent Technical Advisory Group (ITAG) tasked with preparing and publishing independent non-binding advice on the design of a "green" (sustainable finance) taxonomy rulebook is being established, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  “Comprising experts and market participants, the ITAG's primary goal is to deliver comprehensive recommendations to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Chief of Army thanked for his service
    Defence Minister Judith Collins has thanked the Chief of Army, Major General John Boswell, DSD, for his service as he leaves the Army after 40 years. “I would like to thank Major General Boswell for his contribution to the Army and the wider New Zealand Defence Force, undertaking many different ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders
    25 March 2024 Minister to meet Australian counterparts and Manufacturing Industry Leaders Small Business, Manufacturing, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly will travel to Australia for a series of bi-lateral meetings and manufacturing visits. During the visit, Minister Bayly will meet with his Australian counterparts, Senator Tim Ayres, Ed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits nearly $3 million for period products in schools
    Government commits almost $3 million for period products in schools The Coalition Government has committed $2.9 million to ensure intermediate and secondary schools continue providing period products to those who need them, Minister of Education Erica Stanford announced today. “This is an issue of dignity and ensuring young women don’t ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech – Making it easier to build.
    Good morning, it’s great to be here.   First, I would like to acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors and thank you for the opportunity to be here this morning.  I would like to use this opportunity to outline the Government’s ambitious plan and what we hope to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Pacific youth to shine from boost to Polyfest
    Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti has announced the Government’s commitment to the Auckland Secondary Schools Māori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival, more commonly known as Polyfest. “The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is a longtime supporter of Polyfest and, as it celebrates 49 years in 2024, I’m proud to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • 2024 Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships announced
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Breast Cancer Foundation – Insights Conference
    Before moving onto the substance of today’s address, I want to recognise the very significant and ongoing contribution the Breast Cancer Foundation makes to support the lives of New Zealand women and their families living with breast cancer. I very much enjoy working with you. I also want to recognise ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Kiwi research soars to International Space Station
    New Zealand has notched up a first with the launch of University of Canterbury research to the International Space Station, Science, Innovation and Technology and Space Minister Judith Collins says. The hardware, developed by Dr Sarah Kessans, is designed to operate autonomously in orbit, allowing scientists on Earth to study ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the New Zealand Planning Institute
    Introduction Thank you for inviting me to speak with you today and I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. Yesterday I started in Wellington for Breakfast TV, spoke to a property conference in Auckland, and finished the day speaking to local government in Christchurch, so it would have been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Support for Northland emergency response centre
    The Coalition Government is contributing more than $1 million to support the establishment of an emergency multi-agency coordination centre in Northland. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced the contribution today during a visit of the Whangārei site where the facility will be constructed.  “Northland has faced a number ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Celebrating 20 years of Whakaata Māori
    New Zealanders have enjoyed a broader range of voices telling the story of Aotearoa thanks to the creation of Whakaata Māori 20 years ago, says Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka. The minister spoke at a celebration marking the national indigenous media organisation’s 20th anniversary at their studio in Auckland on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Some commercial fishery catch limits increased
    Commercial catch limits for some fisheries have been increased following a review showing stocks are healthy and abundant, Ocean and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The changes, along with some other catch limit changes and management settings, begin coming into effect from 1 April 2024. "Regular biannual reviews of fish ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-28T20:07:00+00:00