◊Apparently Helen Kelly has announced that the CTU will no longer co-operate with government on trade issues. I assume this is union code for “business as usual”. ◊It’s been fun watching Chris Carter implode, but it seems the show is coming to an end. His latest bout of self-immolation appears to be his last. Still, [...]

The scenes outside the National Party conference serve only to remind me that the left apparently continue to favour unreasoning force rather than reasonable debate to promote their views. I would be interested in someone with socialist/union leanings explaining exactly how storming a police cordon, and trespassing on private property, with the express purpose of [...]

If there was every a perfect illustration of how the left think all employers are evil it is this statement from Council of Trade Unions president, Helen Kelly. “Rewarding employers for a lower claims rate doesn’t reduce accidents but provides incentives for accidents to be covered up.” Employers could fail to report accidents, misrepresent them [...]

I confess I do not really understand the debate on national standards for education. This is a sad admission for an opinionated bloke like myself, but I really just don’t understand the teacher’s unions objections to them. I have tried to follow the debate but the union’s response makes no sense at all to me. It [...]

Spam Journalism: The spurious use of sensational headlines to add spice to an otherwise pointless article. Well, half the headline is ok… DHBs, union clash over plan to axe 20 doctors Plans to cut 20 resident doctor positions at Auckland hospitals will increase the pressure on remaining staff and threatens standards of patient care, a [...]

Ian Powell, executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, is complaining that Tony Ryall has a privatisation agenda because he has removed the requirements of DHBs to use public services unless the private service is superior and he has also removed the need to consult frontline personnel. Firstly, let me say that the headline [...]

President Obama finds reality is considerably less pleasant than rhetoric: Obama also raised the possibility of a controlled bankruptcy to help either or both companies to “restructure quickly and emerge stronger” – uttering the term that industry and union officials have warned repeatedly could lead to the collapse of an entire domestic industry. Welcome to [...]

I am increasingly of the opinion that strike action is a complete and utter waste of time. It is divisive and generates polarisation rather than consensus. Both sides in the dispute produce increasingly absurd demands and claims. It is disruptive for all parties including union members, the public and the business concerned. It might occasionally [...]

Council of Trade Unions president, Helen Kelly announced that unions are going to conduct a “name and shame” campaign against firms that fire employees under the 90-day probation law. David Farrar appears to be quite comfortable with this, as long as the unions only target those using the law in an exploitative manner. Unfortunately, Ms Kelly’s language [...]

Have you noticed how often people are quoted, (presumably because they are “experts” or, perhaps, represent an “expert” organisation) yet they say precisely diddly squat? There’s a good example of this in today’s Herald. The New Zealand Medical Association (an organisation whose purpose, frankly, is a mystery to me) is being quoted concerning the doctor [...]