Quote of the Month

Dame Margaret Bazley is arguably New Zealand’s most respected public servant. She has served Governments of all colours, and been sent in to fix up many a mess whether it be Police culture or Ecan.

Therefore her comments as Chairperson of the Fire Service Commission should be read as remarkable:

“I have worked with many different unions over the past 40 years including the Public Service Association, teachers, nurses and others. Over time they all earned my respect. I have the highest regard for firefighters as individuals and this was reinforced during their response to the Christchurch earthquakes. However, I despair that the NZPFU will ever lift its sights above narrow self interest and play a constructive and responsible role in reaching a fair wage agreement that properly reflects the prevailing circumstances.

The NZPFU has long been one of the more militant unions. The only thing they seem to hate more than capitalism is volunteer firefighters whom they regard as treasonable scum. There is a long history of threats and intimidation.

To have someone like Dame Margaret slam the union in this way, demonstrates how awful the union leadership is.  Their long-serving secretary, Derek Best, was Labour’s Ohariu candidate in 1999.