Wildcat

A documentary covering a series of actions by the Tibmerworkers Union in 1977, which climaxed in a full-scale strike bringing the industry to a standstill.

Wildcat, New Zealand, 1981

Vanguard Films
Written, produced, directed and filmed by Rod Prosser, Russell Campbell, Alister Barry
Music: Stefan Tyler-Wright

71 minutes, Exempt

Discontent amongst timberworkers over the running of their union had been simmering for years. Members accused the national executive of exerting dictatorial control and of making deals with management, which left timberworkers with some of the lowest wages and worst conditions in the country. In 1977 this anger erupted in the growth of a remarkable rank-and-file movement aiming to oust the incumbent leadership and bring democracy to the union. Workers from six major sites in the Bay of Plenty-Waikato region banded together to form the Combined Council of Delegates and began a series of actions climaxing in a full-scale strike, which brought the timber industry to a standstill. Wildcat is the story of this struggle and its bitter aftermath told by the workers themselves – bushmen from Kaingaroa, millhands form Kawerau and Waipa, stacker drivers from Kinleith. Maori, Pakeha, novices and old-time union battlers.

Screenings: Wildcat screened on 3 September 2009 in a programme with Kinleith '80 (1982) as part of the Vanguard Films 30 Years Retrospective held at the Film Archive from 2-12 Septemer 2009.