New Zealand unionists show solidarity

Sue Bolton

New Zealand unionists in Auckland and Wellington joined unionists in 22 other countries on November 15 to protest outside Australian embassies against the Australian government's attacks on workers.

Two Unite organisers, Simon Oosterman and Desmond Letoua, and National Union of Public Employees organiser Lynda Boyd, offered their solidarity in person by joining the protests in Victoria on November 15. Oosterman addressed the Geelong and Portland rallies, and Boyd addressed the Melbourne rally.

They outlined how New Zealand's 1991 Employment Contracts Act drove wages down and de-unionised many industries. It's only over the last 12 months that unions have begun to campaign to regain what they lost in 1991.

From Green Left Weekly, November 23, 2005.

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From GLW issue 650