I’m talking about Frances Walsh. The so-called “hobbit-hating woman”, who dared to stand up for her members in MEAA when Mr Warner Bros and his hired guns came to town last year to attack New Zealand’s sovereignty and labour laws, in the name of “jobs”. Our feeble government wooed Warner Bros, along with Peter Jackson and Co with big limos and flash hospitality and then did the ultimate sell-out by amending labour laws to ensure film and video production workers don’t have the right to challenge their status as employees under our labour law.
That woman, who along with Helen Kelly, CTU President, became the target of the worst case of New Zealand union-phobia we’ve seen in a decade. That woman, who has a distinguished career as a journalist, and who has now published a quite wonderful book, called “Inside Stories” – a history of the New Zealand Housewife 1890 – 1975.
Walsh’s book takes a look at the artistic, cultural and historical role of women in New Zealand. It’s a reminder of the stereotypes of women I grew up with and fought against, and the struggle of the right to vote in the late 1890′s through to 1975, when modern feminism asserted the right to sexual and reproductive freedom.
It’s an artistic romp through women’s magazines and their reflection on a women’s place and a political commentary on how far women in New Zealand have come – and have yet to go.
The book is beautifully illustrated with cartoons, advertisements, colours and wallpapers of the eras. I bought it willingly, because I think it’s one not just to read, but to keep. But I also bought it in honour of Frances’ role as a trade unionist – sticking up for a whole bunch of workers, who may seem by many to be privileged because they work in an industry that is on the surface glamorous and adventurous, but has underneath, a whole lot of problems and issue. The National Government turned their back on them last year when they sidled up to Warner Bros and did the indecent thing, selling out a whole category of workers and giving a message that this is in store for any other group who dare stand up for their rights.
Well done Frances. And all women like her.
And just for clarification : Frances Walsh is not the same woman as Fran Walsh, who is Peter Jackson’s wife.
A cracking,well worded post Darien- a worthy tribute to a staunch and honourable woman. Thank God we have some people to look up to.
Frances and Actors Equity members will be more widely favourably remembered in years to come. Lord Jackson’s ‘company town’ that drove the shameful Labour Day Wellington demo will also be seen for what it was.
A compelling recommendation. I’ll be adding it to my library too.
Thank goodness the National government managed to save the NZ film industry from the CTUs attempt to destroy it.
“Trade Unionism is Treason” was the cry at the anti-Union marches on Mayday (of all days) 2010. And Kiwis knew it to be true.
The film industry was doing alright BEFORE National came in!
!
@Uncle Hulun – that is just the kind of view that the National Government relied on. You don’t seem to get the enormity of the action the government took against workers in this industry. I hope when they come for your rights (which they will eventually) you will be just as enthusiastic.
Yup – protect workers rights and lose their jobs overseas. Seems a good bargaining position to me. Anyone else want to part of a deal this good?
Oh wait – the stampede I hear is going in the opposite direction. They are joining the rally that recognises the dangerous position of ideological fanaticism ahead of real jobs and pragmatism. The one that recognises we are part of a global industry and can’t survive on old fashioned protectionist policies hiding away in fortress New Zealand.
If you are looking for the votes that you have lost to take Labour from 40ish in the polls to sub 30 and falling look no further than the policies promoted here. They are scaring real working people off.
@darrenw – Are you serious when you say that workers’ rights are “protectionist” and “ideological fanatacism”? Are you saying that we should compromise a whole lot of rights when we already have one of the most deregulated labour markets in the world? How far would you go? Race to the bottom anyone? We’re better than that. And I hope you are too.
@Darien – I am talking about parading ideology under the banner of rights and risking jobs in the process.
At the ned of the day a sound employment environment for workers and employers is a critical part of NZ holding a comparative advantage in a competitive world market so we all need to do our best to maintain this. Ideological fanaticism endangers this difficult and fine balance – either way.
@darrenw – “parading ideology under the banner of rights” – what on earth do you mean? Do you think removing a worker’s right to test whether they are in an employment relationship or an independent contractor is “parading ideology under the banner of rights”. If you do, time to catch up on ILO conventions and particularly the ones this government adheres to and parades itself as supporting at the conference in Geneva every year.
uncle hulun and darrenw you both conveniently omit the bit about how the Hobbit was NEVER going offshore so no jobs were actually in danger of being lost. Gerry “I know where all the bodies are buried” Brownlee really rogered NZ taxpayers on behalf of Warner Bros.
Treasonous might be better applied to a man who bows NZ law and independence down before a US corporate… or was this the only way the PM could get an election year meeting with the President??
@Tracey – are you saying you are on the inside of Warner Bros and can confirm they were not taking jobs offshore? This is a fascinating exclusive for Red Alert if this is the case & one wonders why this did not come out previously.
If not then you are obviously oblivious to the reality that the film industry is a global one and we need to remain competitive if we wish to attract ongoing income from it. If that means changing the nature of employment agreements to retain jobs and revenue then well find to the Govt.
@darrenw, aren’t you ignoring for a second that the NZ government already provide huge tax relief to attract film-making in New Zealand?
Film New Zealand (a partner of the NZ film commission designed to link international film-makers with filming locations) estimate that New Zealand production costs are 20% cheaper than Australia and 32% cheaper than Canada, after any tax incentives or rebate schemes in those territories are taken into account, and prior to the effect of New Zealand’s tax exemption for large budget film grants.
Simply put – we were already the best bang-for-our-buck. That is why Peter Jackson films here. I do not think it is out of some particular nostalgia for NZ that his international financial backers come here.
We didn’t need to sell out the employment rights of employees across the country.
Employment arranngements hsve a horrible way if biting you if not appropriately structured for the industry which was the risk WB saw here. Costs soon escalate if something goes wrong and legal lisbility can be huge.
At the end of the day if the money spenders saw it as an issue it is an issue – to naively ignore this fact would cost jobs. But unions don’t seem to mind this so long as the ideology remains intact!!
“At the end of the day if the money spenders saw it as an issue it is an issue…”
Well that kind of sums up right-wing ideology, doesn’t it. Those with the most money have the most power, and government should cede power (and the rights of people with less money) to them.
Because it would have been such an inconvenience to WB if they’d had to pay out a few thousand to some “employee” who’d been jacked over by breach of NZ’s employment laws, right? Definitely worth selling out the masses for
@Tim so pleased you agree