Jackson calls on union to be more violent and intimidatory

Hayden Donnell at NZ Herald reports:

Radio Live host Willie Jackson has called for striking wharfies to mount violent “militant action” in their ongoing battle with Ports of Auckland bosses.

Mr Jackson, a former trade union organiser and Alliance Party MP, supported the striking port workers’ calls for eight hour shifts and job security on his Radio Liveafternoon slot today.

He called Ports of Auckland bosses “greedy, filthy, right wing fundamentalists” who were led by a “gutless wonder” mayor.

Intimidation or violence was needed to stop non-union workers being called in to do the striking workers’ jobs, he said.

We first saw some violence on the protest, against counter-protesters. Then there was damage done to at least one car this morning. And now a former MP is advocating there needs to be more violence and intimidation.

Will the CTU and/or the Maritime Union condemn Jackson’s remarks, and say they support peaceful protest only? Or will they implicitly condone them, by remaining silent? For they are the ones who have organised the picket line, so they can’t say it is nothing to do with them.

UPDATE: Jackson now says he only wants the union to be more militant and use greater intimidation, but not use violence, after his earlier remarks were highlighted.