Eight long years later, working people killed in Pike River will not be forgotten – NZCTU

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Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff today welcomed the long-awaited release of the Pike River re-entry plan as a victory for the Pike River community and families of the men killed working in the mine. “For eight years, while politicians excused, delayed and tried to walk away, these families have never given up the fight for answers, and for closure,” he said.

“Justice for the Pike 29 always required a political will that was lacking under the last Government. This tragedy had too many unanswered questions, about why 29 men went to work one day and never came home. Former CTU President Helen Kelly was never satisfied with the excuses and delays given to the Pike River community. With Helen’s support these families chose to become advocates and activists for working people’s rights, and political campaigners, to counter powerful interests that wanted to turn a blind eye.”

“It should never have taken eight years of struggle. Now, with the current Government holding to their promise to plan a re-entry, the families’ persistence is finally paying off.”

“It says volumes about the priorities of this Government to put people first. What the last Government could not achieve in seven years, this coalition has begun in just over one. Working people’s lives matter, and re-entering Pike River mine was the only honourable thing to do. Today, the end of this long, hard road is finally in sight.”

2 COMMENTS

  1. This is also an important vote of confidence by the govt in we the people, knowing that New Zealanders value doing the right thing.

    The National Govt under whose malfeasance Pike River occurred, may have thought that ordinary Kiwis were as callous, uncaring and duplicitous as they are, and they got us wrong.

  2. Well put. The only point I disagree with is your comment about what the last government could not achieve in seven years. Rather than saying what the last government couldn’t achieve, would it be better to say what the last government did not want to achieve even though they could have if they had the same drive and compassion the current government has.

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