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all $15 hr Campaign for a Living Wage
Bringing back youth rates won’t create jobs
Thu 25 Feb 10
By Mike Treen
National Director, Unite Union
Roger Douglas has had his bill to reintroduce youth rates drawn for discussion in Parliament. National voted against the effective abolition of youth rates when in opposition. Both claim the abolition of youth rates has lead to higher unemployment for young people. The assertions are not based on fact.
For decades the right wing economists have argued that any increase in the minimum wage will lead to an increase in unemployment. The ACT party is actually opposed to any minimum wage. They use economic models that don’t exist in the real world to justify their claims.
Minimum wage: truth and lies
Tue 16 Feb 10
The Prime Minister admitted he could not live on the minimum wage at the Big Gay Out yesterday.
He also claimed that increasing the minimum wage to $15 would lead to another 8000 people losing their jobs.
His Minister of Labour Kate Wilkinson supported the claim that the removal of youth rates has lead to an increase in youth unemployment.
The only claim that is true in these recent statements is that John Key couldn’t live on the minimum wage – because no one can. John Key is so rich that he doesn’t claim his official salary and allowances of $565,000 a year. But it is useful to see how the tax changes he has signalled would affect official his income of $10,865 a week or $271.60 an hour for a 40 hour week.
Government MPs challenged across the country
Tue 16 Feb 10
On the day before Valentines campaigners across the country delivered the message to to National MPs - they have no love for workers and we need $15 an hour minimum wage not an increase in GST to 15%.
Protests were held in Whangarei, Auckland Central, Waitakare, Hamilton, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin.
On Sunday John Key was confronted at the Big Gay Out about the impact of tax changes and the pitiful minimum wage increase on low paid workers.
Media Coverage
National has No Love For Workers this Valentines Day
Fri 12 Feb 10
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.
No love for the workers
Tue 9 Feb 10
The National Government have shown their contempt for low paid workers in New Zealand, by throwing 25 cents to those on the minimum wage. Half a million workers in NZ earn less than $15 an hour, and people simply can't make ends meet on such low pay.
The day before Valentine's Day, join your fellow workers in nationwide pickets of your local National Party MPs offices.
They have shown that they have no love for the workers - there is no quarter from National!
Protests organised so far for Saturday February 13th:
Interview with Living Wage Organiser Joe Carolan
Wed 27 Jan 10
MRNEWSguerillamedia's interview with Living Wage Organiser Joe Carolan at the Grey Lynn festival in 2008
If the Bankster economy is collapsing then it is just about time to think about how to protect the REAL ECONOMY, THE WORKERS.
25 cents a cheap shot and an insult to workers
Wed 27 Jan 10
"The government throwing 25 cents to minimum wage workers is a cheap shot" said Campaign for a Living Wage organiser Joe Carolan.
This is barely 2% of nothing, and will be well below real inflation when his government raises GST in the budget."
"Low paid workers are sick of being insulted by millionaires like John Key. We'll be initiating for action on the back of this slap on the face, and there'll be a loud and angry protest this afternoon at 5pm at Auckland's Chamber of Commerce on Mayoral Drive".
Delegate gets over a thousand signatures
Thu 21 Jan 10
Ana Pulini (pictured with Unite organiser Daphna Whitmore on the right) is Unite’s delegate at Auckland’s Copthorne Hotel. She has been busy letting people know about Unite’s campaign to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Not only has she signed up her workmates, her friends and family, she has been in the mall and on buses asking people to support the cause.
Ana has found there is a lot of support out there. When she catches a bus she wanders along asking passengers if they want to sign the petition. People readily understand that the current minimum of $12.50 an hour is a poverty wage.
61% want $15 minimum wage according to poll - Government stalls on increase
Tue 19 Jan 10
A New Zealand Herald poll asked New Zealanders what they thought should happen to the minimum wage. 30% thought it should stay the same while 61% - over twice as many - thought it should be raised to at least $15 an hour.
The government has yet to release it’s annual review of the minimum wage. This normally comes out in December each year but has been delayed.
The new government increased it by 50 cents an hour at the beginning of 2009 but the National party’s record isn’t good. The real value of the minimum wage decreased in the 9 years they were last in power from 1990 to 1999.
Support for $15 hr minimum wage even higher than 61%.
Mon 18 Jan 10
“The NZ Herald poll this morning that found that 61% of New Zealanders support raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour, underestimates the support we are getting from thousands of people every week at our campaign stalls and workplaces” said Living Wage campaign organizer Joe Carolan, today.
