If it walks like austerity and talks like austerity …

Opinion: I met an old union comrade last week. Part reminiscence and part thinking through ways in which community activists could respond constructively to the actions of the coalition Government that is rescuing our society or wrecking it, depending on your viewpoint. What decades ago would have been over a jug in the Panama in Wellington was now an espresso in a renovated villa/cafe in Māngere Bridge. Much has changed. But not everything.
I had noted that the Council of Trade Unions has been running a campaign on what economic and social programme is in the best interests of their members. I was asked what I thought of it by the chief executive of a major listed business. The Reimagining Aotearoa Together campaign is based around a view that the many and varied crises we face have long-term causes and require long-term responses. Constructively, the unions are trying to promote such responses under headings of Mahi Amaru/Good Work, Whakahou/Rebuilding Infrastructure, Mana Taurite/Ending Inequality and Te Anga Whakamua/Securing Our Future. They have held more than 50 hui with delegates talking these headings and specific actions through and are now open to wider online consultation.