CTU Vice President Maori Speech to NZCTU Conference, Oct 05

Address to CTU Biennial Conference
17-19 October 2005
by Sharon Clair, Maori Vice President CTU

It is a great pleasure and honor for me to be able to stand here as M?ori Vice President. A position that has been created from the spring of Trust, Certainty and Abundant Goodwill.

The Union movement in Aotearoa lives in remarkable times, we have a gifted name that comes with a history of Maori strength, Maori determination and remarkable collectivism. And we have sung about us coming together building solidarity.

I would like to pay respect to particular groups and individuals that have inspired and encouraged me in my union journey.

To Te Runanga CTU you are an amazingly talented, sharp and loving group, I am so proud to be a part of you.

Kiwhare tena koe, NZNO Chief Executive Geoff tena koe, Aunty Vera tena koe, I acknowledge our much respected, loved and missed Bill Anderson who stood staunch supporting the establishment of this position.

He Maemae aroha ki a Bill (Rest in peace).

Our President Ross who never fails to work in the collective interest, Tena Koe.

Carol and Helen who continue to bear witness to the worth of women leadership and of course wahine toa would not be complete without acknowledging Laila Hare you are a woman champion for social justice, Te Makao Bowkett, Laures Parkes, Muriel Tunoho and all of our wahine M?ori within CTU.

I know there are many more of you I could and should acknowledge personally and I ask your forgiveness if I have failed to mention you. Eileen Brown, Cee Payne Harker, Glenda Alexander, Rhoda Waitere, Sharon Morunga, Brenda Close my NZNO sisters kia kaha ehoa ma.

Jack Byrne, Peter Conway and of course my solider in arms Thomas Webster Tenei te aroha atu ki a koutou.

But I need to acknowledge a man who has inspired, strengthened and gently supported me in my trade unionist learning and has been protectively guarding the seat I am now to occupy the very very remarkable Gentle Giant Syd Keepa.

Syd you epitimise all that Tane should be and could be.

Kei te mihi, Kei te mihi, Kei te mihi

Finally my family who came today with South Waikato's heart and my family who have come today with our Scottish heart, I love you and thank you for loving me.

Can I tell you I had the honour to be in conference over the weekend with M?ori organisers and delegates and I was so warmed by the motivation to the high road approach of high skill, high wage and high productivity it left me confident in our vision of responsibility and obligation to M?ori economic development.

After the weekend I have no doubt that M?ori trade unionists are on the move, the waka has launched and the plumes are flying high.

We are moving with you all to improve working conditions, we are with you in closing the wage gap, we are with you advocating worker rights to fair pay and safe workplaces, by rebuilding the 5% campaign.

Tangata Whenua understand all to well the reality of imperialism, colonisation and their modern monster grandchild globalisation.

Building our national strategy to build a social movement that builds relationships is imperative. Listening to Sharon Barows yesterday I thought 'wow' what an inspirational leader she is absolutely right we must eradicate corporate greed, Tim and Evan.

You may not have won on Saturday night buy you are champions for workers rights. We are at war against corporate greed and you have won the battle against the greed of James Hardie who kills workers.

Kia Kaha Korua I am sure there are many here who like me have family working andl iving in Australia and are deeply concerned for them and what is in store for them under this Howard Government. We know that what happens to them will impact upon their families here at home.

Employers must commit to investing in the workplace and the Howard Government. must be challenged. The Workforce must be appreciated for there is no such thing as an unproductive worker simply systems, work organisation structures and values in need of change.

We promote an active approach to social and economic development committing ourselves to partnerships and promoting change that leads to greater prosperity for all in Aotearoa and the Pacific. Shortage of skills and slow wage growth must be on our agenda for change.

A major priority is supporting joint union campaigns that are already strongly supported by the CTU to increase wages, end low pay and improve training and skills and investment in people.

M?ori women over represent in this workforce as do Pacific and migrant women workers.

Trade Union Organisations can play a vital role at national level in the mobilisation of workers to apply pressure on governments informing them that their workers want more and better jobs in order to achieve an end to poverty.

We have about 300,000 children under 18 living in poverty in this country. This is unacceptable. Our young need to be able to have freedom from poverty so that they can be the leaders we need tomorrow. Poverty and impoverishment must end so that a strong, healthy, dynamic workforce can blossom.

No reira nga Kauae Kaimahi

Mauri mahi, mauri ora.