From the CTU secretary, Sam Huggard:
“To our Christchurch union sisters and brothers, tēnā tatou katoa.
I wanted to write with our love and solidarity for you all this afternoon, as like you I’m shocked and upset hearing about what has happened in your city today .
Injustice, intolerance and racism has no place in our communities nor anywhere in the world. I am so deeply sorry for our friends in the Muslim community in Christchurch for the devastation that this horrific act of violence and terror has caused.
As delegates and organisers many of you will be supporting workers personally affected by this violence in the coming days, and I wish you strength.
Many of you will also be supporting the hundreds of emergency services staff across the region as they work hard in our hospitals, councils, community services and elsewhere, and the teaching, tertiary, council and other staff in areas of lockdown right now. Can I pass on our deepest gratitude for the work of all our public service personnel today.
In solidarity,
Sam”