Solidarity!

This evening I attended a Presidential Dinner!
That is, the president of PPTA, Kate Gainsford, came up to Auckland and members of the Auckland Region attended the dinner with her - somehow I managed to get myself booked into the dinner as well!
The dinner was superb - we had it in the back room of La Bocca, an Italian restaurant at 251 Parnell Rd - we chose from a set menu (logistically sensible) and I had a pork belly on a bed of pear and raisin-sauce covered mash.
Delicious!
I've been thinking about my Union leanings over the years, and why it's important to me.
I guess it's important because the rights, pay and conditions of workers are extremely important to me.
And I can't stand bullying, prejudice, unfairness or exploitation.
Having been on the receiving end of bullying a couple of times in my career and even before that has helped me to develop a resolution that I will not knowingly stand by and see others bullied.
The socialist aspect of unionism also appeals, and I find it harmonises fully with my Christian faith (while realising that many socialists actually diss any faiths because of that intangible, spiritual aspect which can be problematic - for me it works if I call myself a Christian socialist, with a capital C and a small s).
The meal was lovely because it was an opportunity to meet with/reunite with other like-minded teachers - I found myself quoting Keith Richards (Rolling Stones guitarist): "It's good to be here - it's good to be anywhere!"