I don’t agree with her emphasis but Fran O’Sullivan has highlighted a less obvious outcome of John Key’s employment relations reform.
Helen Kelly last year initiated contact between Tim Groser, the Nact Trade Minister, and Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO, in an attempt (and in itself a risk on Kelly’s part) to get the US union support necessary for a free trade deal through congress and to push it up the Obama agenda.
Trumka, who is not a natural supporter of free trade, agreed to visit NZ and talk with unionists as well as politicians.
Kelly’s intervention was based on a fairly co-operative arrangement with the Key government, involving a large degree of trust. It resulted from some undertakings – especially relating to consultation.
Key broke his word, co-operation finished and Trumka was told that the positive working relationship no longer existed and he pulled the pin on the visit.
Nice one John. Just to be seen to give wage and salary earners a bit of a kicking at your party conference.
Bleep me!
!
Listen up Labourers, John Key knows whats best for NZ
You had your chance for a veerrry long time so now you should all show your support for NZ by getting in behind John Key and supporting what he does
A vote for John Key is a vote for a progressive NZ
Who has ever heard of Trumka? Was it going to be a state visit? Come on. You’re taking the mickey surely. If not, why would you be trying to thwart an FTA that could give us a more prosperous future and keep jobs in NZ? I hate it when Labour gets involved in actions that actually work against our interests as NZers.
@ Jane – every Democrat member of the Congress. Remember trade is a heavily debated issue in the union movement. Even more so in the States than here. Key got support based on co-operation and then decided he had more important people to work with. His call.
Frak I find its funny how NACT always steals the language of the Progessive Left and twists it into their own little PR perversions.
A lack of belief and a lack of self identity allows them to do that with ease without feeling compromised of course.
Jonkey and his merry Cabinet band appear to know whats best for their mates, and otherwise sweet frak-all actually.
“Listen up Labourers, John Key knows whats best for NZ”
Yeah a cycle way around a mine – near Nelson I here
“You had your chance for a veerrry long time so now you should all show your support for NZ by getting in behind John Key and supporting what he does” Great idea
, right everybody we’re all going to form a line behind Key and follow him around everywhere and ooh and aah at his every move. 
“A vote for John Key is a vote for a progressive NZ”
A vote for Phil Goff is a vote for a prosperous NZ
I hear – I can spell I swear
A vote for Phil Goff is a vote for a prosperous NZ
One month ban for lying. Trevor
Update
Not my clearest moderating. Should have said balance of post deleted and one month ban for lying in the part I deleted. I can see the funny side of my error. Trevor
Loota, a sci-fi fan I see. I honestly can’t see any progression by the left except for some of the excellent contributions to this site by its readers. “progressive” is a word hijacked by every man and his dog at the moment, you can’t really trademark it.
Jane Dear
I dont think you understand that the Congress Democrats are pretty ANTI free trade. This particular union is very strong and big. Their support for FTA is a big deal. Democrats would annoy this union at their peril
Some here may not like it but countries like Aussie and the US do listen to the unions and tale account of their opinion and presence.
Spud – you see the irony in you mentioning ‘ohh and arr’ing” of everything right?
Oh I need a drink
It pays to exercise caution towards an NZUS-FTA regardless.
I read this piece by Ms O’Sullivan as a sign of how worried is the government about this unexpected consequence of its gross mishandling of the ER reform issue.
Trevor, I always see you accuse people of trolling. I’m not sure if you know exactly what trolling means,
chris73 at 10:23 am that is what you call trolling
Given the state of business in the USA and the role that unions paid in their demise and the transfer of manufacturing to other countries we could well do without his advice.
Further, its rapidly becoming obvious that the USA is going to tip the world over to recession unless it gets its house in order and frankly we can find better trading partners to survive with.
FTD with US = greater loss of control and direction for NZ.
Keys banker mates will be furious.
Do we get a say
Hunting whales will also bring in dollars.
“A vote for Phil Goff is a vote for a prosperous NZ
One month ban for lying. Trevor”
LOL
Like it or not- it seems the Democrats are heading for electorial disaster this November. Congressional Republicans are far more free trade friendly
Will still need a group of Democrats and a President willing to move on it.
Looks like the Republicans might take the house in November, the Dems regularly ignore the AFL-CIO and pass FTA’s, eventually the US will sign up to the ASEAN agreement, so not a big deal really…
A bit off topic, but this could be a sign of things to come.
Sunday Star Times – Spies target animal rights campaigners
Then again, the unions are an obvious target and could be next – there’s plenty of historical precedent.
please stop trolling Trevor