Kiwi Socialists threaten World Cup

[Teh Mite]

Bosses are calling for a guarantee the industrial disputes threatening to derail The Hobbit won't be repeated in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Employers and Manufacturers Association (EMA) employment manager David Lowe says he fears there may be strikes over World Cup pay and conditions.
"Some unions have already indicated they are lining up the Rugby World Cup for industrial action.
"It would be reassuring if the Council of Trade Unions would confirm now that it will not Hobbit the Rugby World Cup.
"Cool heads are needed to ensure we will work together next year to put the interests of New Zealand Inc. first."
CTU President Helen Kelly says Mr Lowe is using The Hobbit dispute as an excuse to grandstand again the union.
There are no plans to target the World Cup for industrial action, she says.
"He is winding up a serious Hobbit dispute. It is opportunistic.
"If he wants he can call me and we can set up a team - them and us - to make sure this is a great World Cup.

If he wanted to do that, we'd jump at the chance."
It is impossible to guarantee there will be be no industrial action in an event that is still a year away, she says.
"Mr Lowe can't guarantee every employer in New Zealand won't have any problems during the World Cup, but he's asking the same of us. Workers are allowed to strike."
Ms Kelly says she has already met with Rugby World Cup 2011 chief executive Martin Snedden to discuss ways to get more workers volunteering at World Cup events.


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/workplace/news/article.cfm?c_id=74&objectid=10682358

 

[nickdnz]

Ugh. I can't see there being more strikes, but the people who f*cked up the Hobbit, don't realize how much these movies mean to NZ. It puts a huge amount of money in our relativly small economy. Yes, it's cheaper to pay New Zealand actors, especially extras, than American actors. That's why they're in NZ and not US, and NZ will still get billions for it. I sware if they ruin the RWC, there will be hell to pay in NZ. Greedy, power hungry unionists.

 

[woodward]

Greedy, power hungry unionists.

:lol:

 

[Charles]

:lol:

+1

 

[hermanshire]

Greedy, power hungry unionists.

Whoooosh

 

[Shaggy]

Ugh. I can't see there being more strikes, but the people who f*cked up the Hobbit, don't realize how much these movies mean to NZ. It puts a huge amount of money in our relativly small economy. Yes, it's cheaper to pay New Zealand actors, especially extras, than American actors. That's why they're in NZ and not US, and NZ will still get billions for it. I sware if they ruin the RWC, there will be hell to pay in NZ. Greedy, power hungry unionists.

Yep, well if it's worth billions of dollars to the NZ economy, maybe it's worth paying the actors a few more dollars ... there seems to be hardly a murmur about the "greedy film company" that makes the movies in NZ or other cheap locations, or the massive tax credits that they get from the NZ govt ... if it's of such a benefit to the NZ economy, perhaps the NZ govt should pay the actors the extra amount, or give the film company extra on the condition that it's passed on to the actors, as the poor film company is obviously being exploited, and can't afford it.

 

[nickdnz]

Yep, well if it's worth billions of dollars to the NZ economy, maybe it's worth paying the actors a few more dollars ... there seems to be hardly a murmur about the "greedy film company" that makes the movies in NZ or other cheap locations, or the massive tax credits that they get from the NZ govt ... if it's of such a benefit to the NZ economy, perhaps the NZ govt should pay the actors the extra amount, or give the film company extra on the condition that it's passed on to the actors, as the poor film company is obviously being exploited, and can't afford it.

Ever think what would happen to Nimibia, if they were paid the same rates as US workers? What? It would go bankrupt? Yes.

Our film industry is a small industry. There is no advantage to filming in New Zealand, if it is not cheap. Hollywood, has got a billion dollar film industry, they can afford to pay actors in America because you get many more advantages of shooting in the US. Not only do you get more advantages in terms of travel, access to resources etc, but you also get more actors that have recognition. Why are the film companies greedy? If you were working the a budget, why wouldn't you get the best deal for your money, especially when you have the luxory of filming somewhere else. They're not exploitative, as the Hobbit will certainly benefit what is already a poor and limited oppertunity industry. It's a selective few, stirred up by some idiots, that are saying "we want more money, and if we don't get it, you can film somewhere else", which would be fine if it wasn't for the fact that it's a minority of actors in NZ that have the problem. They're ruining it for the rest of us.

 

[ranger]

Ever think what would happen to Nimibia, if they were paid the same rates as US workers? What? It would go bankrupt? Yes.

Our film industry is a small industry. There is no advantage to filming in New Zealand, if it is not cheap. Hollywood, has got a billion dollar film industry, they can afford to pay actors in America because you get many more advantages of shooting in the US. Not only do you get more advantages in terms of travel, access to resources etc, but you also get more actors that have recognition. Why are the film companies greedy? If you were working the a budget, why wouldn't you get the best deal for your money, especially when you have the luxory of filming somewhere else. They're not exploitative, as the Hobbit will certainly benefit what is already a poor and limited oppertunity industry. It's a selective few, stirred up by some idiots, that are saying "we want more money, and if we don't get it, you can film somewhere else", which would be fine if it wasn't for the fact that it's a minority of actors in NZ that have the problem. They're ruining it for the rest of us.

Do you fancy yourself to be an orc in the film Nick?

 

[squirrel]

So were whoring ourselves off as cheap, its the same reason why everything we buy is manufactured in asia and puts locals out of work, greedy corporate capitalists at the end of the day

 

[nickdnz]

Do you fancy yourself to be an orc in the film Nick?

Haha, I'm not even a big fan of the LOtR, I have have a lot of friends in the NZ acting community who are all for the wages they can get.

 

[Shaggy]

Ever think what would happen to Nimibia, if they were paid the same rates as US workers? What? It would go bankrupt? Yes.

Ever think what happens to workers and their families in countries where the multi-nationals can dictate what they get paid ... the workers live in subsistence, the multi-nationals get their product made for next to nothing, and sell it for huge profits

Our film industry is a small industry. There is no advantage to filming in New Zealand, if it is not cheap. Hollywood, has got a billion dollar film industry, they can afford to pay actors in America because you get many more advantages of shooting in the US. Not only do you get more advantages in terms of travel, access to resources etc, but you also get more actors that have recognition. Why are the film companies greedy? If you were working the a budget, why wouldn't you get the best deal for your money, especially when you have the luxory of filming somewhere else.

Yes, they are working on a budget, they are a business and they are there to make money, and yes they are well within their rights to get the best deal for their money ... my point is that when the actors who the to live on a budget as well, try get the best deal that they can (exactly the same thing the film company's doing), they are labelled greedy

They're not exploitative, as the Hobbit will certainly benefit what is already a poor and limited oppertunity industry.

The film company's existing tax credit effectively cancels out any tax that they pay (according to Prime Minister John Key), they refused to even talk about work conditions with the Actors, they had emails guaranteeing no industrial action from the unions which they refused to release, they are now meeting with the Prime Minister to get further concessions and possible employment law changes, and all the while threatening to take the movie offshore ... NO, Nothing exploitive about that

It's a selective few, stirred up by some idiots, that are saying "we want more money, and if we don't get it, you can film somewhere else", which would be fine if it wasn't for the fact that it's a minority of actors in NZ that have the problem.

It was the Actors union, carrying out a resolution by it's members to send a letter requesting a meeting to discuss work conditions ... funny, but if these select few/idiots, succeeded in getting better conditions, i'm sure all of the actors (the majority/non idiots) wouldn't have had any problem taking them.

They're ruining it for the rest of us.

As I said in the original post, if the Actors were subsidised, like the film company is, then there wouldn't be a problem would there (I'm not generally a fan of subsidies, but if you're prepared to do it for the film company, then why not the Actors)

The rest of New Zealand that aren't actually doing the Primary work, can then get their piece of the pie through the tourism that the film generates, and the industries that support the tourist industry ... they're not being Greedy either are they

 

[Shaggy]

In answer to threats to the World Cup, the exchange rate, earthquakes, and price gouging from speculating entrepreneurs are more likely to be potential issues

 

[gingergenius]

In answer to threats to the World Cup, the exchange rate, earthquakes, and price gouging from speculating entrepreneurs are more likely to be potential issues

not to mention the french..

 

[Conal]

not to mention the french..

those god dam surrender monkey french!!

 

[Shaggy]

not to mention the french..

HAHA ... the only French threat is ... CHABAL!

 

[smartcooky]

Ugh. I can't see there being more strikes, but the people who f*cked up the Hobbit, don't realize how much these movies mean to NZ. It puts a huge amount of money in our relativly small economy. Yes, it's cheaper to pay New Zealand actors, especially extras, than American actors. That's why they're in NZ and not US, and NZ will still get billions for it. I sware if they ruin the RWC, there will be hell to pay in NZ. Greedy, power hungry unionists.

I will have to start saving up my wine bottles, and stockpiling tins of petrol and old rags!

Seriously though, some NZ actors recently required a Police escort to get out of a restaurant after they were recognised then abused and threatened by members of the public. It would be a small step from that to people firebombing the homes of Union stirrers.

 

[woodward]

Looks like the right is trying to "exploit" this situation to generate public opinion against unions. As moderate as national portrayed itself (despite the leaked tapes of their admission before the election that it was all bs), its clear they are the furthest right government we have had in at least my lifetime. They are striping workers rights all over the place, including destroying 50 years of progress for teachers working conditions, lowering tax for the rich and raising it for the poor, trying to sell off our assets and mine our national parks all the while mounting a American neocon style propaganda campaign on all fronts. New Zealanders so massively siding with foreign corporates over our own workers is a symptom of the shift in public opinion from people getting sick of a government that actually had the countries interest at heart.

 

[smartcooky]

Looks like the right is trying to "exploit" this situation to generate public opinion against unions. As moderate as national portrayed itself (despite the leaked tapes of their admission before the election that it was all bs), its clear they are the furthest right government we have had in at least my lifetime. They are striping workers rights all over the place, including destroying 50 years of progress for teachers working conditions, lowering tax for the rich and raising it for the poor, trying to sell off our assets and mine our national parks all the while mounting a American neocon style propaganda campaign on all fronts. New Zealanders so massively siding with foreign corporates over our own workers is a symptom of the shift in public opinion from people getting sick of a government that actually had the countries interest at heart.

All of this has NOTHING to do with the Rugby World Cup.

Perhaps you are not old enough to remember the Cook Straight Ferry Cooks & Stewards, a bunch of greedy ******** who were among the highest paid workers in NZ with the best of working conditions, who used to hold the country to ransom by going on strike during Christmas and School Holiday periods. They would threaten (and sometimes cause) massive disruptions to screw even more money out of their employers. In the end, the NZ Prime Minister at the time broke their strikes by using the RNZAF in "Exercise Pluto" to fly holidaymakers and their cars over the straights using C-130's and Andovers in a continuous 24/7 shuttle run from Woodbourne Air Force Base to Rongotai.

This is precisely what they are trying here, to use a high profile event to make political and financial gain for themselves. fvck the unions I say. They do nothing for their workers except take their fees and stir up trouble.

But the big question I have over this Hobbit business is WTF is an AUSTRALIAN Union doing telling OUR Unions what to do. AFAIC they can just fvck off and look after their own corrupt & rort-ridden unions, and get their ******* noses out of our business. We neither need nor want Australian Unions coming over here and putting our 3 billion dollar movie industry at risk, as well as risking the employment of tens of thousands of New Zealanders, for the sake of a few overpaid, under-talented Australian actors.

 

[nickdnz]

All of this has NOTHING to do with the Rugby World Cup.

Perhaps you are not old enough to remember the Cook Straight Ferry Cooks & Stewards, a bunch of greedy ******** who were among the highest paid workers in NZ with the best of working conditions, who used to hold the country to ransom by going on strike during Christmas and School Holiday periods. They would threaten (and sometimes cause) massive disruptions to screw even more money out of their employers. In the end, the NZ Prime Minister at the time broke their strikes by using the RNZAF in "Exercise Pluto" to fly holidaymakers and their cars over the straights using C-130's and Andovers in a continuous 24/7 shuttle run from Woodbourne Air Force Base to Rongotai.

This is precisely what they are trying here, to use a high profile event to make political and financial gain for themselves. fvck the unions I say. They do nothing for their workers except take their fees and stir up trouble.

But the big question I have over this Hobbit business is WTF is an AUSTRALIAN Union doing telling OUR Unions what to do. AFAIC they can just fvck off and look after their own corrupt & rort-ridden unions, and get their ******* noses out of our business. We neither need nor want Australian Unions coming over here and putting our 3 billion dollar movie industry at risk, as well as risking the employment of tens of thousands of New Zealanders, for the sake of a few overpaid, under-talented Australian actors.

Thank you, someone who isn't buying into "greedy, multi national ********", and is speaking sense.

They are using their position to either say "give us what we want, or we'll walk", which the movie companies can afford, but the NZ economy isn't so lucky. You'll find what will happen, is the government will now be giving actors huge tax incentives, which will be great for everyone except New Zealand.

As for the Australian union, I'd be interested in seeing where the Hobbit will be filmed if not in NZ, because you can bet that Australia will want a piece of the billion dollar pie.

 

[woodward]

Unions do nothing for workers, we should just rely on employers to be fair out of the goodness of their hearts because unlike unionists their not greedy at all