National maintains centre ground

December 5, 2008 by

Like clockwork, Treasury recently released a wishlist of attacks on the working class. These include increases in GST, a return to youth rates and a 90-day trial period for employment.

However, Finance Minister Bill English promptly shot them down, observing that these recommendations are nothing new. English stuck to the party line, stating, “We won’t be doing anything with GST. We are focused on personal tax rates.”

National’s tax cuts primarily benefit the rich, as with those of Labour. Introduced by the Fourth Labour government, GST is a tax on workers and consumers. Neither Labour nor National shows any inclination to increase it, or get rid of it. Despite the hopes of Treasury, and the fears of some on the left, National continues to maintain the centre ground; to pay for stable capitalist exploitation.

If the economy requires it, either party will attack.

Filed Under: 2008 Election, National Party

Obama: “Change” – to what, and who for?

December 4, 2008 by

The Spark December 2008 – January 2009

Since the office was first introduced in 1789, the President of the United States has been the leading figurehead in American capitalism, imperialism and exploitation. It is impressive that for the first time in 219 years, in a country that only roughly 40 years ago institutionalised segregation and only roughly 140 years ago still practised slavery, a black face is now at the top. But that does not change what the US presidency represents. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Elections, Imperialism, United States Tagged With:

Masport workers show there’s honour in fighting

December 4, 2008 by

Striking workers at Masport Foundries looked rapt to be in the sunshine and open air as they walked off the job for the first time in 14 years this morning. Members of the EPMU and the Moulders Union voted overwhelmingly for strike action after rejecting a below-inflation pay offer of 3% on wages only (not on any of their numerous allowances).

masport

The all-out indefinite strike is also a protest against repeated attempts by the employer to undermine the Collective Agreement and exclude some workers involved in production from coverage (i.e. technicians). As Gordon Thompson, EPMU delegate, stated: “Its about respect. Its about holding your head high. There’s honour in fighting.”

Supporters are invited to show their solidarity by joining the next picket from 8-10:00am on Monday December 8th at 37 Mt Wellington Highway, Panmure, Auckland.

Filed Under: Workers in Struggle

Solidarity to rebuild unions

December 3, 2008 by

-Daphna Whitmore

During the 1990s under the National government union membership fell by 50 percent. In 2000 just after Labour came in to office 69 percent of the public sector workers were covered by collective agreements and 21 percent of workers in private sector jobs.

Did that situation improve during nine years of “a worker-friendly government”, as the CTU leadership describe Labour?

Not at all. This year 59 percent of public sector workers have collective agreements, and a mere 10 percent of private sector workers.

The table below shows the grim reality.

union-membership-2008

And while the public sector collective agreement coverage declined, it is still significantly higher than the private sector.

A really serious trade union movement would look at assisting the private sector through subsidies from the much better off public sector. We need a union movement that takes the interests of the whole of the working class. That’s the sort of solidarity that would help build up unions in the private sector, which is where exploitation of the working class originates.

Filed Under: National Party, NZ Labour Party, Union movement, Workers in Struggle

For an open and honest debate

December 3, 2008 by

Click here to read our Second Open Letter to Socialist Aotearoa responding to their concerns about our article “Much of the left crying wolf over the Nats” and arguing that revolutionaries should be open and upfront about debating their differences.

Filed Under: Elections, Revolutionary Strategy
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