Bill Andersen

:For the Tennessee politician, see Bill Andersen.

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Bill Andersen (January 21 1924-January 19 2005) was a New Zealand communist and trade union leader. He was one of the participants in the 1951 Waterfront Lockout and the president of the Northern Drivers' Union and later the National Distribution Union.

Related Topics:
January 21 - 1924 - January 19 - 2005 - New Zealand - Communist - Trade union - 1951 Waterfront Lockout - National Distribution Union

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Andersen was the president of the Socialist Unity Party which broke away from the Communist Party of New Zealand over the Sino-Soviet split, and he also led its successor, the Socialist Party of Aotearoa. One of the very few New Zealanders to take communism seriously, he visited the Societ Union and kept a bust of Lenin on his desk.

Related Topics:
Socialist Unity Party - Communist Party of New Zealand - Socialist Party of Aotearoa - Lenin

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Bill Andersen supported the Ngati Whatua occupation of Bastion Point, now the site of Orakei marae. He organised union support for the Maori claiming ownership of the land.

Related Topics:
Ngati Whatua - Bastion Point

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As a trade union leader, he frequently clashed with New Zealand National Party Prime Minister Robert Muldoon. Whenever the two flew from Auckland to Wellington, sympathetic NAC and Air New Zealand staff ensured the two leaders were seated next to each other.

Related Topics:
New Zealand National Party - Robert Muldoon - Auckland - Wellington - NAC - Air New Zealand

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He remained an active trade unionist all his life. In May 2003 he was arrested on a picket line for obstruction. He working at the National Distribution Union and Northern Drivers Charitable trust until the week of his death.

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Despite requests for no funeral, a large group gathered for his memorial ceremony at Orakei marae.

Related Topics:
Orakei - Marae

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