Disability is a Working-Class Issue
Juliet Thomborson spoke with a person who is disabled and employed as a care worker about some of the issues that come up around disability and work. In what ways have you noticed the latest National government making life harder for you (or other disabled people)? The benefit ‘reforms’ have made life harder: if you’re […]
A stunning victory for the left in Greece
In probably the most important parliamentary elections in Europe since World War II, Greek workers have defied an incredible media scare campaign and voted solidly for the left wing anti-austerity party SYRIZA (the Coalition of the Radical Left). SYRIZA won 36 percent of the vote and decisively defeated the hard right New Democracy, which had […]
Wellington’s So-Called Progressives Capitulate to Business
Wellington’s Mayor and city councillors have agreed a massive programme of privatisation of public property. This time (for land and buildings have been flogged-off cheap before) the privatisation is around the civic complex at the heart of the city, the public’s crown jewels so-to-speak. The privatisation will take the form of century-long leases being offered […]
Socialist Summer Reading: the Best of 2014
Socialist Review asked writers, campaigners and performers to suggest some of the best discoveries from 2014 – we hope there are good suggestions here for your holiday reading! Michael Field: One of New Zealand’s defining books was Report on an Experience, published in 1947, two years after its author, John Mulgan, had killed himself. His World […]
Zero-hour contracts, Poverty Pay, Rest Breaks Gone: We Need Our Unions
The scandalous practice of illegal wage deductions came to light in November when the media took up the case of Kerry McIvor, who resigned his Gull petrol station job in Masterton in disgust. McIvro was only paid $14.75 an hour. Over several occasions Kerry’s pay was docked hundreds of dollars by the owner of the […]
Jai Davis’s Death: Corrections’ Disgrace
What is a man’s life worth? Very little, if they are a prisoner. That must be the attitude of the Department of Corrections, as the terrible details coming out of the inquest into Jai Davis’s death at Otago prison in February 2011 make clear. Anyone with a conscience reading about Mr Davis’s death must feel […]
The Lie of Opportunity
Stephen Laidler was laid off on the 14th of November. He put on a suit and printed a sign saying “Employ me please”. The media loved his “proactive” attitude and his photo was published nationwide. In a matter of days he had five “definite” job leads. While we support Mr Laidler’s efforts to find work, […]
What killed Sentry Taitoko?
[Protests against the police murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson have exposed the racism and violence of the police in the United States. We stand in solidarity with these protests, and urge readers to join New Zealand solidarity demonstrations. Maori and other victims of police racism in this country will recognize accounts of police brutality. […]
Pak n Slaves Revolt
Over 80 First Union members at Porirua Pak n Save have rejected a pay offer and voted for community action and strikes. The Pak n Save owner is refusing to pay a Living Wage. Last Saturday and Sunday workers and community supporters picketed at the store entrances and leafleted shoppers. The public reaction was on […]
Sexual Assault and the Police
Last week’s decision by the New Zealand police not to press charges against the so-called “Roast Busters” confirmed for many that the police are incapable of taking rape or sexual violence seriously. For survivors, the close to one-yearlong investigation Operation Clover was a slap in the face. The whole thing seemed faulty even before the […]
