Our members have shared their feeling of hope with us in the wake of a change of Government, to a Labour-led coalition with NZ First, and with the Greens as a support party.
Many of our members have struggled with low pay and poor working conditions under the previous nine years of a National-led Government with people working harder and longer than ever to make ends meet.
Now there is hope of better things from this new Government, which rejects the low-wage economy promoted by National since slashing benefits and union rights in 1991.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made this commitment to trade unionists at this year’s biennial CTU conference:
“We will build a better New Zealand – with decent homes for all, with the schools and hospitals we need, with an environment we can cherish, and with decent, well-paying work for our people – and we will build it together.
“Let’s do this!”
It’s also worth repeating the words of the Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters, as he announced he was choosing a coalition Government with Labour.
“… far too many New Zealanders have come to view today’s capitalism not as their friend but as their foe and they are not all wrong.”