22 October 2004

CHEAPSKATES!

That was the comment from New Zealand First law and order spokesperson Ron Mark following the announcement by the Public Service Association of a 2.5% pay rise for its Defence Force civilian staff members.

“At a time when MPs have just been given a 3-4% pay increase, the Government has seen fit to sit on their hands and do nothing to encourage the Minister to give civilian staff a meaningful pay rise,” said Mr Mark.

“This inadequate settlement hints at collusion between the pro-government PSA and the Government in order to diminish the attempts by other unions in this sector to get improved pay for workers, something that is sadly also reflected in the PSA miniscule settlement for Corrections staff.

“How can the Minister of Defence, in all conscience, accept the massive pay rise he has had with the pleas of the hard workers who make up our Defence Force civilian staff still ringing in his ears?” asked Mr Mark.

“Above all, the Minister should know that the prerequisite for having the privilege to lead our Ministry of Defence, is to lead by example and demonstrate the same fairness and standards of equality he expects from his staff.

“Obviously the Minister has failed Leadership 101 - once more,” concluded Mr Mark.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>