There he goes again! In the recent 'info brief', telling us how wonderful he is with his little spot called "A word from the Chair." 

I challenge all plumbers to write a response under the heading "A word for the Chair."   Give it your best go and I might send you out a prize! 

Here's my response:

A word for the Chair

Alan Bickers has once again said in the latest ‘info brief’ that:

“Some people seem to think that the Board is there to represent the interests of tradespeople and that the payment of the licence fee is akin to paying a membership subscription. That is simply not correct “   

Well, I say to Mr Allan Bickers that I am a citizen of this democratic country - this country that provides free speech and justice for all.  You may not understand that it is our right to take you to task over the administration of our industry and legislation - after all, you took the position with no background in plumbing.

I find it a sad reflection of your ego that when experts who work in the trade take you to task on the various inconsistencies that lie within the board’s structure and administration, that you would dare to try and fob it all off by basically saying: we’re not a union, you can’t talk to us; we’re appointed by the Government.

Well, I have news for you Mr Bickers - a little info brief of my own.  Until the certified trade shortage is addressed and the trade drain to Australia has ended, and tradesman who are at the coalface (who are protecting the health of this nation) are listened to and treated with respect as the experts that we are, we won’t stop voicing our opinions.

We’ll stop voicing our opinions when you start to look at the ways other countries’ administer the industry and stop being so narrow-minded.   We’ll stop voicing our opinions when you get back to protecting the nations’ health and safety and not the interests of an elite few.

You will be hearing from tradesmen on an ongoing basis until you listen to the people whose who actually work in the industry on a daily basis.   Then, and only then, maybe you can claim to represent the nation’s best interests in the industry but until then you have a lot of work to do.

Alister Transom


Linkback: https://www.plumbers.nz/pgdb-new-zealand-plumbing-gasfitting-and-drainlaying-board/30/response-to-alan-bickers/912/

very well said sir...this treatment of professionals(plumbers,gasfitters and drainlayers) is disgusting...they the board hold us in contempt and it is wrong we are highly trained professionals and deserve respect that any other professional gets.