Grid of posts 2×3

  • Population is not the problem!

    -Mike Kay The Green Party has caused some controversy recently by releasing its Population Policy for New Zealand just prior to the election. The Greens estimate the maximum population that Aotearoa can sustain at 5.7 million. In order that we do not exceed this figure, they propose policies including: “initiatives to raise awareness amongst parents Read more

  • Marx in the 21st century

    Talk given by Tim Bowron at a public forum at the Christchurch WEA in November 2008 organised by the Workers Party. It seems as though these days the only time you are likely to hear the name of Karl Marx mentioned is when he is being dismissed as the proponent of some outlandish utopian ideology Read more

  • Go Harvey Norman, go!

    Retailing billionaire Gerry Harvey has lamented that Australian charity is being wasted on “no-hopers”. Asked in a new book about his community role, Mr Harvey said giving to people who “are not putting anything back into the community” is like “helping a whole heap of no-hopers to survive for no good reason”. A whole heap Read more

  • Support Hamilton’s locked out bus drivers

    The Hamilton bus company Go Bus has locked out 50 drivers after they took strike action for 24 hours, and were planning a fare strike on return to work.  Fare strikes have seldom been used in New Zealand, but they are a creative form of industrial action that can build public support while putting direct Read more

  • Workers’ Farmers Parade

    Several hundred Farmers workers marched up Queen St in Auckland today in a protest parade. They are angry at the company’s offer of a 20 cent an hour pay increase. Their union, the NDU, timed the protest a week before the official annual Farmers Xmas Parade. On the march were representatives from several unions. A group Read more

  • Cleaners get a dirty deal

    – Laurie Garnett When the Contracts Act was repealed in 2000 it was hoped that not only would collective bargaining flourish, but multi-employer agreements (MECAs) would be rebuilt. But with strikes outlawed except around bargaining, collective agreements can be a device for employers to lockdown wages and prevent strikes for years on end. A multi-employer Read more