Speech by Ross Wilson, president elect, NZCTU to 6th Biennial NZCTU Conference, 1999 Monday 1 November 1999

This conference is a watershed in many ways. We are moving into a new century, with a new leadership and, hopefully, with a new worker friendly Government. As one of the new leaders I feel humble and apprehensive to have been elected to fill the shoes of Ken Douglas. But I also feel enthusiastic to take up the challenge of leading the New Zealand union movement as we emerge from a very difficult decade and together take up the challenges of the 21st century.