by frog
For Andrew Little and all EPMU staff and members
Kia Ora Koutou,
On behalf of all the MPs, members and staff of the Green Party we want to extend our deepest sympathy and our solidarity to you all. Words are inadequate to express our immense feelings of horror, devastation and helplessness in the face of this cruel disaster. If we could take some of the burden now faced by the families and friends of those that have been lost, we would do so. But we cannot.
We want to express our great admiration for the way you, Andrew, and other EPMU officials, have conducted yourselves and represented workers’ interests in the glare of the unprecedented media attention on this tragedy. We also wish to praise EPMU’s initiative in establishing the relief fund and, particularly, the intention to reserve half that fund for educational purposes. That is a lesson well learnt from the Strongman disaster.
We have been pleased to work with you and the CTU to try to secure a Royal Commission of Inquiry that had wide terms of reference able to take into account systemic issues like the downgrading of the Mines Inspectorate, for the opportunity for bereaved families to have their say, and that had a member nominated by workers, to ensure that we can all have confidence in the Commission, and that those who go underground in the future can do so knowing that they will be as safe as they can be.
Please know that if there is further work that we can do to advance workplace safety, or to to provide meaningful solace or support to your members we will not hesitate to do so.
In solidarity,
Russel Norman
Metiria Turei
Kevin Hague
And the entire Green Party of Aotearoa
Published in Featured by frog on Thu, December 2nd, 2010
Tags: Andrew Little, CTU, EPMU, pike river, Strongman
on the trolls and those who are unable to keep on topic
“Downgrading of the Mines Inspectorate” May I ask what that is all about?
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I would like to back up what Russel, Metiria and Kevin have said about Andrew Little and the Union, and extend that to Pike River Management, the Govt, Mayor and the families.
There has been a high level of integtrity and dignity shown by Andrew Little, Peter Whittall, John Key, Tony Kokshoorn and everyone on all sides all throughout this tragedy.
I feel lucky to be part of a country that still pulls together in such a tragedy, to support those suffering, rather than using it to advance other adgendas.
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I do recommend Ken Follett’s latest opus, the first of a Trilogy on the twentieth century, called The Fall of Giants.
The novel is set in the events leading up to the First World War and the Unfolding of that tragedy.
The story lines record the origins of the trade unions, and the suffragettes, and of course all the movements that came to dominate the twentieth century including fascism and communism.
And as I mentioned elsewhere it opens with horrifying descriptions of working conditions in the Welsh Coal mines and this episode closed with a dreadful methane explosion. It’s 846 pages but I am half way through it hope it never ends. It’s a comfort to know there are two more to come.
His wonderful story set in medieval England during the Black Death is equally riveting. PIllars of the Earth is a web of stories built around the construction of one of the great cathedrals.
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Oops. No doubt someone will think that I am equating fascism and communism with the trade union movement and suffragette movements. In fact it was intended to be something of a contrast.
What makes Follet’s books so rich is that he does not see these societies, and the people in them, in terms of black and white. I did not really realise how these early movements had representatives from all walks and classes of life.
Or maybe I did “know” but these characters mean that now I really “KNOW”.
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Owen, I hope you get to read the rest of your book. Although I’m sure you already ‘know’ everything; I hope you’ll get to ‘KNOW’ it too. Have a good week.
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We know many things but not necessarily deep down.
We all know the Earth is round.
Apparently Astronauts return to Earth really KNOWING the Earth is round, etc.
And because of this they never see another sunset.
From then on they see the Earthrise.
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or spin
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