The Council of Trade Unions is expressing its sympathy to the family of Jim Anderton following his death overnight, and marking his huge contribution to New Zealand political life.
CTU president Richard Wagstaff said that Jim Anderton had been a friend and ally to working people throughout his extensive political career.
“Working people experienced dark days after the neoliberal onslaught on their rights at work and the social safety net that protected them in the 1980s and 1990s – in particular the devastating Employment Contracts Act.”
Jim Anderton stood by workers throughout this period and lead the charge for an alternative vision for New Zealand that put communities and working people ahead of the free market, that put values ahead of excessive greed.
“Jim will be also remembered for the foresight to establish KiwiBank, and for valuing strong public services generally”
“Jim was also strongly committed to industry and regional development as is well known, and I’d like to record the union movement’s appreciation of Jim’s inclusive approach to this work – he understood that industry is made up of workers and employers alike, and ensured workers’ vital interest in strong industries was recognised.”
“Our thoughts are with Jim’s wife Carole and their extended family,” Richard Wagstaff said.