Edited summary Original message from: John Maynard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Asia Pacific Workers Solidarity Links, Aotearoa New Zealand To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, January 03, 2000 FATALLY INJURED ON THE PICKET LINE A supporter on a New Zealand Waterfront Workers Union picket line died on 31 December two days after having been run over on the picket line by a four-wheel drive vehicle. Ms Christine Clarke had joined the port workers' picket during a dispute at the Port of Lyttelton near the main South Island city of Christchurch. Unionised port workers and their supporters were stopping vehicles at the port and handing out leaflets explaining their opposition to the Lyttelton Port Company's plan to contract out the loading of coal. Christine Clarke had been standing on the peaceful picket line with her hands on the bonnet of the stationary four-wheel drive vehicle. The driver, a local importer who had already been through the picket line several times that day, became abusive. Christine Clarke was run over when the vehicle was suddenly driven directly at her and then driven off at speed. Christine suffered head injuries and although operated on for serious brain injuries she did not regain consciousness and died in hospital. Police have arrested the driver who will be facing serious driving charges in relation to causing Christine's death. The dispute about the contracting out of coal loading has been temporarily settled. The company has agreed to further talks and will not contract out the work for at least another month. However the issues at the centre of the dispute have not been resolved. Christine Clarke's death is only the second at a picket line in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Miner Frederick Evans died after a baton blow to the head during the Waihi miners' strike in 1912. The memory of Christine Clarke and her peaceful direct action in solidarity with workers' protesting against the contracting out of their jobs will live on in the trade union history of Aotearoa/New Zealand. Messages can be sent to: Lyttelton Branch New Zealand Waterfront Workers Union Fax 64 3 328 8798 *** Australia Asia Worker Links PO Box 264 Fitzroy Victoria 3065 Australia Tel: 03 9419 5045 Fax: 03 9416 2746 E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink