This was the theme for an afternoon protest by more than 50 Unite Union members outside Baycorp’s head office in Auckland on August 10th.
This protest is one of three strikes at the company over the past month to protest the company’s attempt to claw back the workers redundancy provisions as well as offering just 1% to 3% pay offer.
Workers lined both sides of the busy Hopetown Street in central Auckland and received a barrage of supportive toots from cars and trucks throughout the strike.
After poor pay rises in the past two years the workers want a reasonable increase this year and on-going industrial action is planned.
Negotiations have been very difficult with the purchase of Baycorp by an Australian based private equity firm last year.
These new owners seem to be following the same path as other private equity firms where the profit for owners takes precedence over a fair pay for employees.
As we go to press the company has withdrawn its claim to reduce redundancy payments by up to 50% but their pay offer remains very poor.
Delegates have formed a team to plan further action to gain public support for the workers claim for a reasonable wage increase.