Max Bradford

Opposition Industrial Relations Spokesperson

Monday 19 June 2000

How is Fiji boycott sanctioned by law?

"The claim by the president of the CTU that the NZ unions' illegal strikes in support of a Fiji boycott is "sanctioned by international law" is astounding," Opposition Industrial Relations spokesperson Max Bradford said today.

"If Mr Wilson is right, or the CTU is allowed to get away with this one, then there is no doubt New Zealanders are in for strikes for any old political disagreement with the government of the day.

"The CTU has been arguing for the Employment Relations Bill to include the right to strike for economic and social reasons under ILO conventions 87 and 98.

"Is this the sanctioning by international law they refer to? If so we can expect to see a lot more strike action for social and political reasons in the future.

"We shouldn't be surprised. The CTU and its unions are feeling their oats with the prospect of the Employment Relations Bill, where they are getting substantial new powers to involve themselves in New Zealand workplaces. Things will undoubtedly get worse, especially if the Labour/Alliance government lets the CTU get away with this.

"Of course New Zealanders can understand the desire to do something tangible to stop George Speight's hostage action. But unlawful measures should be deplored. They should forget about the boycott, and get behind Phil Goff's and Don McKinnon's diplomatic activity."

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