30 May 2005
CTU accuses National Party of putting ideology before national interest
In a speech to the Wellington Rotary Club today CTU president Ross Wilson accused the National Party of putting ideology
ahead of national interest with its industrial relations and economic policies.
“Despite the developing consensus and joint strategies between unions and business on economic development the National
Party appears determined to return to the divisive policies of the 1990s” Ross Wilson told the largely business
audience.
“Reinstating an Employment Contracts Act will again encourage employers to focus on reducing wage costs instead of
building value and skills” he said “This will inevitably accelerate the departure of more skilled workers to Australia
and other countries.”
“The CTU is convinced we need to continue the current Government strategies to build a high skill, high value, high
productivity economy”. Ross Wilson said
“We can’t beat China on labour costs, but we might just win on Kiwi skill and innovation.”
ENDS