A proposed merger between the National Distribution Union, Unite and the Service and Food Workers’ Union is currently generating both excitement and controversy among the left wing activist community in New Zealand.
While on sites like indymedia reaction has been largely negative, the feeling among militant unionists that I have talked to in the NDU and Unite seems to be one of cautious optimism. There is little question that a merged union would be far stronger in terms of both resources and industrial clout, especially important since the current level of unionisation in this country’s service sector is appallingly low. In addition, a merged union bringing together some 60 000 of the most low paid and exploited workers in NZ would undoubtedly offer greater opportunities for the extra-parliamentary left to caucus and organise effectively.
The few reservations that people have seem to stem mainly from the fact that the merger proposal has been driven by the union leadership rather than the rank and file, so that for instance comrades on the NDU national exec only found out about the proposal the same day they were due to vote on it! Then only weeks later at our Dunedin NDU Local Organising Committee meeting delegates were a bit startled to find out that agreement had already been reached “in principle” to push ahead with the merger.
Some concerns were also expressed about the issue of the SFWU’s Labour Party affiliation, which would not be something that many in the NDU or Unite would be keen to see transfer to the new merged union.
However despite this it seems that the potential benefits outweigh the possible risks – as I heard one comrade say recently “in these kinds of situations the left really has to back itself to win the arguments”. By taking an active role in the merger process we can hope to have some influence over the shape of the new union, especially on key questions such as union democracy and opposing Labour Party affiliation.
The only alternative strategy is revolutionary “red unionism”, which while it might make the socialist and class struggle anarchist left feel more comfortable at the end of the day cuts us off from most of the working class.
Anyway, be interested to get other peoples’ comments and feedback.
