For the first time in New Zealand a giant inflatable rat was deployed by Unite Union on the weekend to draw attention to workers' plight at SkyCity.

Standing 20 foot high it was used outside SkyCity Casino at lunchtime on Saturday. The rat carried a placard saying "SkyCity: Don't be a rat - Give workers a fair deal."

"We wanted to tell the new SkyCity CEO Nigel Morrision not to be a rat and treat his staff decently," said Unite National Director Mike Treen.

"After all he is one of New Zealand's highest paid CEOs yet proposes to pay his workers the minimum wage and a wage offer to the rest of his staff that is less than the inflation rate."

Mr Treen said unions in the United States often used giant inflatable vermin placed outside particularly dirty employers.

"The rat has become an international symbol of exploitation and a rallying point for working people to give solidarity to other workers in need."

More than 350 union members joined the lively weekend pickets with the usual music and chants. There were many toots from cars and support from tourists and SkyCity regular customers.

The SkyCity negotiations with Unite and the SFWU have broken down and are now in their fourth week.

Successful strikes of 30 minutes were called on Saturday. The first was at 11am followed by others at 1pm, 4pm, 7pm, and 9pm.

"Unite will keep calling short but sharp actions to minimise the wage losses for us and disruption for customers," Treen said.

"But we do want to inconvenience SkyCity operations enough to send a strong message to CEO Nigel Morrison that his offer needs improving."

Many other members took longer actions or stayed out. Security went out at 5am, Cashiers out at 10am. Housekeepers went home at lunch-time.

When the slots crew realised management had covered for the 4pm strike, they waited til 5pm then took the rest of their shift off. The cleaners went home at 8pm. The last picket at 9pm was the noisiest and Unite members marched up to the doors to deliver their message.

Unite intends to place the giant rat outside SkyCity during more strikes to remind Aucklanders what SkyCity is doing to its workers.

Unite wants to make the rat a permanent national rallying symbol against greedy employers in New Zealand.