Ken Douglas, ONZ (born 1934) is New Zealand's best known contemporary trade union leader.
As President of the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions until 1999 Douglas led the union movement in New Zealand for over fifteen years. His union career started in the Driver's Union. He was also leader of the Socialist Unity Party in the 1970s and 1980s and stood for Parliament on occasion never gaining more than 100 votes in the Porirua electorate.
Since his retirement from the CTU Douglas has been active in local politics as a Porirua City Councillor (1998-), Porirua Licensing Trustee (20017) and elected member of the Capital and Coast District Health Board (20010). Douglas has served on boards of Air NZ, NZ Post, NZ Trade and Enterprise, New Zealand Rugby Union and Healthcare NZ. Ken married Lesley and they had four children, Jane, Peter, Helen and John.
An acknowledged Marxist, Douglas has moved to the right over the last two decades and currently sits on the ] Board. He is also chairperson of Positively Wellington Business and a board member of the Asia NZ Foundation.
In 2006 a two hour documentary was shown on New Zealand's TV ONE about Douglas's life, entitled "Ken Douglas, Traitor or Visionary".
Famous quotes containing the words ken and/or douglas:
“Is America a land of God where saints abide for ever? Where golden fields spread fair and broad, where flows the crystal river? Certainly not flush with saints, and a good thing, too, for the saints sent buzzing into man’s ken now are but poor- mouthed ecclesiastical film stars and cliché-shouting publicity agents.
Their little knowledge bringing them nearer to their ignorance,
Ignorance bringing them nearer to death,
But nearness to death no nearer to God.”
—Sean O’Casey (1884–1964)
“Annie Laurie
Gie’d me her promise true;
Gie’d me her promise true,
Which ne’er forgot will be;
And for bonnie Annie Laurie
I’d lay me doune and dee.”
—William Douglas (1672?–1748)