What a rotten employer. Is this the future?

It is fair to say that a movement is occurring whereby employees are slowly having their rights eroded. Just take the Private Members Bill in parliament that has the capability of reversing many of the gains workers have fought so hard for over the years. One could almost say that this move is tantamount to stripping workers of the right to collective bargaining. Let’s face it, there is no difference between workers putting up the price of their labour and that of a ‘producer’ raising prices for goods and services. Getting the balance fair and right is the main thrust in worker-employer relationship. What is worrying is the trend towards loss of workers’ conditions of employment.

When one sees the headlines in the NZ Herald today about a boss who made his employee ‘beg for gas’ in order to complete a bread run, one is left wondering how low some bosses can go. That the ERA ordered full and fair compensation is an indication that at least in some quarters there is recognition of fairness and reasonable treatment of workers. Yes, it is on the extreme edge for examples of what can go wrong, but dig deep and I am sure you would find many more examples, especially for those lowly paid workers being exploited by unscrupulous bosses in the restaurant industry.

Let us not throw away the gains made by past generations to improve the lot of workers. We do not want to see a return to times when a worker was seen as merely a means of increasing the wealth of a tiny minority, leaving a vast faceless and subjugated body of workers at the bottom of the heap. Have I just described the ever increasing gap between the rich and poor? Is that feared scenario actually upon us, camouflaged by a drip-down of a weakening welfare state?

Maybe history has come back to bite us in our rear ends. It seems that an uncaring Government is already embarking on a journey that will be very difficult for us to turn away from. At least we have read about a tiny victory. Is the time coming when we will not see such reports? Perhaps they will be buried under countless anti-worker pieces of legislation about to be thrust upon us by an increasingly isolated Government.

We can assume that we are all being spied on!

Given the claims arising from the USA about how the CIA, FBI and God knows what other organisations are spying on the citizens of the USA, then I think it is a taken fact that the rest of us are probably being caught up in the vast net that is now part of everyday life, simply because of the wide use of social media. It is not just governmental organisations that are doing this. Haven’t we known for many years that information is gathered on us each time we hit on particular sites and then that information is used to target us for future ‘sales’ and approaches from businesses wanting our money?

Why would we therefore be surprised that the Governments of most countries are increasingly looking at other aspects of our lives, all in the name of ‘security’ in this modern brave new world? Most of us accept a degree of ‘intrusion,’ just to keep us safe, but it is the inevitability that the State will use this information in ways that we did not predict. Our freedoms will be curtailed and we already know that ‘bad things happen’ to individuals who raise their voices against ‘Governments’ worldwide. The USA is no worse than most other Governments; it is merely better at what it does, because of the vast resources it can bring to the table. I would hate to think what Government secret services are doing in China and many other states, where freedom is but a word bandied around as a precursor for other activities to keep the ordinary citizens meek, mild and non-expressive of ideals that challenge the nation state. The world of computers and social media has unleashed a monster to say the least. OH, for good old fashioned pen, paper and secret phone calls. Has anything really changed? Yes it has, because technology has refurbished the tools Governments need to ‘SPY ON US!’

Get those busses in Auckland running right!

It is in the interest of us all that our bus services are on time and get us to work on time. Reports in the NZ Herald this morning that commuters in Lynnfield were late to work because of ‘no shows’ must be taken seriously. WE are told to use busses and other forms of public transport because our roads are overcrowded and because such use is environmentally’ kind’ Excuses were put forward by the administrators but they do not hold water. If we do not have enough busses or the services don’t make enough money, then we need to increase the subsidies the companies are paid. It is essential that we increase and maintain services if we want a modern and viable city. Get off your butts, administrators and make things work. It is in the interests of us all!

Wondering when the weight loss will stop!

Mind you. I'm not complaining and it has settled down to less than a kilo a week now.  My aim is to get to 80 kilos by Xmas---that means another 7 to go. I think it is going to be hard, hence the next weapon in my arsenal. Hell, I hope I spelt that right----could have put an entirely different slant on things eh. The new weapon? Why, Pilates of course. My good friend, Lisa is helping me out. I went to her apartment yesterday and she showed me a few tricks. I didn't know I had those muscles. I am told they will be hurting this time tomorrow. It's not all about pounding and impact; it's more about using technique to stretch and bring back some tone to this aging body. My biggest surprise was finding out that I could sit cross-legged again on the floor. Remarkable feeling.
So, do I have nay regrets? NO---- I don't miss pigging out on food that was killing me, I don't miss the lack of energy, I don't miss taking all those pills, I don't miss calling my CPAC Machine (for sleep apnoea) 'Elle, because she has gone! I don't miss the big food bills and I can quite happily say that it is quite fun shopping for new clothes. Last night I even got a bit tiddly on one glass of wine. That was quite fun and inexpensive.
I am not saying that my solution for ridding myself of my former hugeness is for everyone. But for me, well--- I am most thankful for my chance to experience a new lease on life---a much longer one. Please feel free to comment, ask questions and contact me directly, through my website, if you wish.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Turkey's woes---we have seen it all before.

Turkey has a 'democratically' elected government, albeit one that has increasingly spurned some of the ideals that go along with such a government. The present leader is no doubt popular, particularly with those holding a more conservative and religious outlook. In the many rural areas his hold is almost total. Now that he has been in power for ten years and the country has a higher profile, he is beginning to go down a path that so many 'long term leaders' travel. He is becoming arrogant and possesses a sense that 'he is right' and that any opposition is based on groups who want to wreck the economy or image of the country.
Actually, he is doing a pretty good job of achieving that himself. Recent reports that journalists who oppose his autocratic rule are losing their jobs and ending up in prison are most disturbing. RT (Russian TV) has reported that his regime is targeting doctors and other medics who have been assisting those injured in the protests. This smells significantly like the events we witnesses from the despotic regime in Bahrain where torture and other inhumane acts were perpetrated on those opposing that regime. The question must be asked -----is Turkey about to return to a non-democratic past, all in the name of a leader who wishes to retain power? One hopes that the people of Turkey hold a very different view!
www.authorneilcoleman.com

Roskill is going digital!

Yes I am preparing the much edited and formatted ROSKILL for e-booking on Kindle. I employed a really god editor (Stephen Stratford) and asked him to format, proofread and edit the book so that it is more reader-friendly. No one wants to see countless mistakes and bad formatting.

I was most pleased with the result and after spending many hours going through the result, I feel that I shall be able to feel more confident about the product. I shall let you know when it is available on line. Let’s face it—paying the tiny amount required when viewing a book on Kindle, is the way to go. I shall still sell hard copy of course.

Talk To Me will follow and then I shall return to working on Sons Of Orpheus, a trilogy set during the New Zealand Land Wars. Watch this space.
www.authorneilcoleman.com

You are a tough pack of buggers, Australia!

It never suprprises me when I read of some of the antics various Australians get up to , especially near an election. We have all seen the polls that predict a huge defeat for Labour at the upcoming elections. That many Ausies have lost sight of the fact that the Labour (OK lest use the Aussie way---Labor) has made a real difference to many 'working' people. Education has been made more accessible to more people at the lower end and there have been gains re health for those at the bottom. Yes, it's true that Julia has gone back on her word on a few issues, something dictated by events way beyond her control. We have heard the posturings of that 'would be leader,' Tony and note that he seeks every opportunity to belitlle Julia's policies. I am not saying that this is a move that differs in any way from what we expect from opposition leaders, but I am syaing that his negativity around many issues, including the 'boat people' problem do little to offer Australia a way forward. Some of his 'backers' have reached incredibly low levels in their manouvering to garner favour, for when he comes into Government. Take the rediculous spectacle of that dopey radio reporter asking Julia to consider the fact that 'all hairdressers (and thereofor her partner) are gay. Then look at that twit who degraded Julia with his stupid 'menu.' It is not good enough to say that it was all just fun----these commentaries stick with the public and those who make such protestations do influence the popular psyche. Tony and his friends do not necessarilly agree with these moves, but they should go out of their way to promulgate good values that represent what Austrlaia surley is--- a diverse country with wonderful people; but sometimes prone to a brashness that does not do it credit.