Last year I attended some of the support worker rallies in Auckland. I work in the charitable sector so am used to seeing hardship and hopelessness. But nothing chilled me like hearing the support workers' stories. Driving around Auckland in cars they can't afford to maintain or get wofs for to support the most vulnerable. Having to choose between petrol and food for their kids. They do such a vital job, and they are NZ's working poor. It's not right, it's not fair, and no wonder we have such a shortage of these workers. The lag to really address fair pay has been happening for years. What's wrong with us? Why don't we value and care about these essential workers? As you say, it's cunty ... and stupid.
I agree. I have been reminding some who think this govt has "got it right", that their prospect of "aging in place" ie living out their lives in their own homes, is under threat if nothing is done to improve the pay and conditions of home support workers. There already are fewer such workers available, as conditions and pay worsen there will be even fewer in years to come. Even just in terms of selfishness we need to challenge this mean miserable bill.
It isn't just this latest move. The lack of focus, valuing and investment has been going on for years across all parties and governments. Progress is way too slow. Society is moving faster than we are dealing with in terms of realities for workers and the community. It's an area that needs bravery, leadership, fast policy, investment - walking the walk in areas like ageing in place, community-based care, workforce development etc. Those things rely on a stable and valued workforce. Not in increments - but with a bang.
Agree it is a long term issue. Have witnessed lots of unfair circumstances. But I believe that to get this govt out one needs to grab the ear of the middle class voters, so where possible, I am trying to catch attention by adding a comment here and there on various social media pages - sometimes providing an example, other times doing a proper rant! But I turn to pages such as this for refreshment and fortification!
This is good. Articulating and explaining the issues so succinctly. Thank you. I’m sharing it widely because the Govt is trying to dress up its racism by saying the issue isn’t racism it’s about ’good manners’
Thankyou for articulating and explaining that linkage of power and indignation. I have printed off your article and intend sharing it in our book group this morning!
Your article is being passed around the group. Initially it prompted us to discuss how our thinking has changed over our lifetimes - how we started out voting like our parents, then like husbands, then finally as thoughtful individuals. There was a consensus that we had moved on from just being "respectable" to now, in our old age, striking out for integrity - even if it got us into trouble. There was a lot of nodding to the notion that what took place in parliament yesterday was an attempt to deflect from the topic - I noted an interviewer on radio this am kept pushing the person she was interviewing to condemn the use of such language but he resisted, repeatedly directing her back to the issue of pay equity.
Last year I attended some of the support worker rallies in Auckland. I work in the charitable sector so am used to seeing hardship and hopelessness. But nothing chilled me like hearing the support workers' stories. Driving around Auckland in cars they can't afford to maintain or get wofs for to support the most vulnerable. Having to choose between petrol and food for their kids. They do such a vital job, and they are NZ's working poor. It's not right, it's not fair, and no wonder we have such a shortage of these workers. The lag to really address fair pay has been happening for years. What's wrong with us? Why don't we value and care about these essential workers? As you say, it's cunty ... and stupid.
I agree. I have been reminding some who think this govt has "got it right", that their prospect of "aging in place" ie living out their lives in their own homes, is under threat if nothing is done to improve the pay and conditions of home support workers. There already are fewer such workers available, as conditions and pay worsen there will be even fewer in years to come. Even just in terms of selfishness we need to challenge this mean miserable bill.
It isn't just this latest move. The lack of focus, valuing and investment has been going on for years across all parties and governments. Progress is way too slow. Society is moving faster than we are dealing with in terms of realities for workers and the community. It's an area that needs bravery, leadership, fast policy, investment - walking the walk in areas like ageing in place, community-based care, workforce development etc. Those things rely on a stable and valued workforce. Not in increments - but with a bang.
Agree it is a long term issue. Have witnessed lots of unfair circumstances. But I believe that to get this govt out one needs to grab the ear of the middle class voters, so where possible, I am trying to catch attention by adding a comment here and there on various social media pages - sometimes providing an example, other times doing a proper rant! But I turn to pages such as this for refreshment and fortification!
This is good. Articulating and explaining the issues so succinctly. Thank you. I’m sharing it widely because the Govt is trying to dress up its racism by saying the issue isn’t racism it’s about ’good manners’
Thankyou for articulating and explaining that linkage of power and indignation. I have printed off your article and intend sharing it in our book group this morning!
Oh, I hope they enjoy it too! Do share their feedback (if you want to ofc)!
Your article is being passed around the group. Initially it prompted us to discuss how our thinking has changed over our lifetimes - how we started out voting like our parents, then like husbands, then finally as thoughtful individuals. There was a consensus that we had moved on from just being "respectable" to now, in our old age, striking out for integrity - even if it got us into trouble. There was a lot of nodding to the notion that what took place in parliament yesterday was an attempt to deflect from the topic - I noted an interviewer on radio this am kept pushing the person she was interviewing to condemn the use of such language but he resisted, repeatedly directing her back to the issue of pay equity.