Greens mourn passing of trade unionist

Green MPs Sue Bradford and Keith Locke are mourning the death of the prominent New Zealand trade unionist Bill Anderson.

Ms Bradford, Green Industrial Relations Spokesperson, and Mr Locke, a long-time member of Mr Anderson’s National Distribution Union (NDU), have sent a message of condolences to the NDU to convey their sadness at his passing.

“Like other union people around the country, we mourn Bill’s passing and see it as marking the end of an era, as signifying the passing of a generation of trade union history,” Ms Bradford said.

“I worked with Bill off and on over the years through our common involvement in the unemployed workers’ movement. I was always impressed by the depth of his commitment to the needs of low-waged and unemployed workers, and beneficiaries.”

Mr Locke added: “Bill was totally committed to the workers’ cause, and stressed the importance of a united union movement.

“He understood that unions had to be political, and not just active on bread and butter employment issues.

“A highlight was his imposition of an industrial ‘Green Ban’ on construction at Bastion Point to support the land claim of the Ngaati Whatua people. I also warmly remember marching up Queen Street with Bill on many protests for peace and human rights.”

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