Working together creates that family feeling

More meetings, more often was the call from those attending the August round of union meetings organised by NDU. More than 3000 people attended 23 meetings, a much higher turnout than expected.

At every meeting there was a unanimous “yes” to having meetings again at least once next year, and a commitment to get more members there from the jobs that turned out.

“All good, no worries. Heaps of people – good turnout” summed it up for one Aucklander. From everywhere the comment “we need to do this more often” was written on the survey forms. Some people would have liked “more time and more discussion on wider issues”.

Organisers gave up counting at 920 at the biggest meeting in Auckland. Gisborne took the honours for the best turn-out per member – with one in three members attending.

The motivation people got from contact with members in other workplaces and industries was strong – “I feel more sure about the union and us working together to make a difference,” wrote one person, “It’s nice to come together like a real family supporting one another and building strength.”

National Secretary Laila Harré says most union work is done in the workplace – bargaining collective agreements and tackling issues for groups or individuals on the job. “But being a union member is also about being part of something bigger than one job, or even one industry. It’s about fighting for everyone’s right to a decent job on fair pay and respect from the boss. It’s about getting laws changed and improved for workers and their families.

“It’s also about solidarity with other unions in New Zealand and around the world – the kind of solidarity that helped the Progressive DC workers win their fight last year.”

In Palmerston North, Christchurch and Auckland workers from the three DCs led the chants.