Press release: Campaign for a Living Wage, Unite Union

Nationwide protests and pickets will target National MPs offices this Saturday, as anger spreads across the country at GST increases and a low minimum wage. The wave of action has been called by the Campaign for a Living Wage, which has gathered nearly 100,000 signatures supporting a Citizens Inititaed Referendum to raise the minimum wage now to $15 per hour, a move supported by over 61% of Kiwis, according to polls.

"The working poor are not stupid, and if the Government continue to attack us, National Mps shouldn't be surprised they'll be targeted for public shaming and ridicule in their local communities" said Campaign Organiser Joe Carolan.
"First the government threw 25 cents at those struggling to get by on the minimum wage, and now, a week later, they've hiked GST up another 2.5%. This will mean that the half a million workers earning less than $15 per hour now will be worse off, not to count the 150,000 dependent on benifits".

"This Valentine's Day, we thought John Key was just a cheap date. Tax cuts for workers- yeah, right- this government is putting the boot into the poorest workers whilst giving tax cuts to its rich mates. There is no Love for the Workers from this Government."

Contact Joe at 029 44 55 702
joseph@unite.org.nz

PROTESTS PLANNED IN:

Whangarei
this Saturday, 12noon to 1pm, outside Phil Heatley's office, cnr Deveron Street and Hatea Drive.

Auckland
Auckland Central- Nicky Kay's Office, 1.30-2.30pm, 82 College Hill, Freemans Bay 1011

Waitakare
Paula Bennett's Office, 429 Great North Road, Henderson- 12noon, (join the campaign stall before hand from 10am at Henderson mall)

Hamilton
Hamilton East National MP David Bennett, 510 Grey Street,(Corner Grey and Bridge Streets) at 12 noon

Whanganui
Assemble at Majestic Square, 11-30am Saturday 13th Feb

Palmerston North
- the only city in New Zealand without any National MPs :-) so we want lots of volunteers for a very visible signature gathering effort on the Square (gather on the east side outside High Flyers at 11am).
For more information contact Gerard on 021 029 40345 or gerard@unite.org.nz

Wellington
Sat Protest- Assembling at the Cenotaph at 10am, going up to picket Parliament

Nelson Protest
Saturday 13th Feb ,10.30am, Nelson Markets- Montgomery Sq. Protesting @ Nick4Nelson Caravan

Christchurch
Sat 13th Feb from 10 am to 12 noon, outside Nicky Wagner's Christchurch Office at 189 Montreal St - opposite South City Mall

Dunedin
Picket: March and Picket of National Office,
leaves the Octagon 1.30pm, Sat 13 Feb

Oamaru
Saturday Feb 13. National MP for Otago Jacqui Dean's office is 42 Thames St, Oamaru. See you there! 11.25-3.25.

MORE INFO-
Contact Joe Carolan at 029 44 55 702, organised by the Campaign for a Living Wage.