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This is a long comment, and I just shared on FB. Labour Day - Unions help ordinary people do extraordinary things

Servo's - a thank you.

For me, Labour Day is much more than a holiday - though it’s great those who have to work get time and a half and another day off (thanks Labour). We should all know why : Samuel Parnell’s quest for 8 hours work, 8 hours rest, 8 hours recreation. It’s Labour (as in Labour Party) and union history - and the formation of the Labour Party - with the determination of workers to have a political voice when they were being defeated again and again by greedy bosses. My union, E Tu (formerly Hotel Workers Unions/Cleaners Union, Service Workers Union, Service & Food Workers Union) always understood this. They have a proud history of good women and men who worked for them becoming MPs. Look at this List :

Rick Barker, MP, Labour Minister

Mark Gosche, MP, Labour Minister

Lianne Dalziel, MP, Labour Minister

Taito Philip Field Labour MP, Minister (yes I know)

Mark Peck, Labour MP

Aupito William Sio, Labour MP/Minister

Dave Hereora, Labour MP

Willie Jackson, Labour MP/Minister

Sue Moroney, Labour MP.

Darien Fenton, Labour MP

Ibrahim Omer Labour MP

Denise Roche, Green MP

Matt Robson, union lawyer Alliance MP/Minister

Laila Harre, union lawyer, Alliance MP/Minister

There are many others from Servos origins making a mark in Aotearoa and the world - in local politics, NGOS, law, media, the arts, unions and internationally - too many to mention here, but thank you. And thank you unions.

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I'm right with you there Darien. Good people all, who cared about other people and wanted the best for everyone. Money was carefully cared for too, but the people always came first.

Thank you Nick - I loved your sweet little note to Nicola Wilful, and greatly enjoyed the song at the end.

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Enjoy your weekend Nick!

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Thanks Nick. On holiday in Rotorua. Noticing the rich and poor divide. On display for international tourists to admire… Expensive experiences, police everywhere and bedraggled looking housing. At least the sun is out and National hasn’t cancelled Labour Day as Luxon said they should when Labour made Matariki a public holiday.

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Have a great weekend Nick and all fellow readers on here.

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Billy Bragg for president - not that Pete Seeger couldn’t do it with his eyes closed! Would it be in bad taste to have more than 8 hours rest on a beautiful Hawke’s Bay day?

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Seems the order of the day, it is a beautiful part of the world.

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Nice sunshine here too, a pleasant change to yesterday. How nice to forget everything for a moment and enjoy that.

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Thanks Nick. The song is very en pointe. A great message. Ake Ake Ake.

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Enjoy your weekend. Sunny here at the Mount too. Song choice was bang on :)

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Enjoy your weekend Nick with your family and friends!

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Enjoy your weekend

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