The NDU reports that Kate Wilkinson has pulled out of a meeting with them because the EPMU took industrial action on Monday. Weird.
She said “the risks were too great for her to come” and that she can’t meet with any union.
So – what is the story – she doesn’t know what day of the week it is or she can’t tell the difference between the NDU and the EPMU or she is just plain chicken.
Just waiting for Key to announce that the government is not meeting with any employers this week just to be even handed – but not holding my breath.
Not confused at all. Simply traditionally one-eyed. The NDU gave great support to the EPMU pickets in Auckland last Monday (and perhaps elsewhere also). Ms Wilkinson’s networks in the employer groups in Auckland will have been quick to bring this to her attention, and this will be seen by her as a punsihment for the NDU for their actions. And the NDU might well ask ‘difficult questions’.
She’s not on top of her portfolio, and looks likely to be a casualty of Mr Key’s first Cabinet changes when they come through.
The NDU and the EPMU are significantly different unions: different politics, different allegiances, different leaders, different cultures. It weirds me that she seems blidn to this.