Youth Rates Smashed
Today in Manners Mall young workers smashed a giant fast-food cup, with the brands of some of the New Zealand companies that paid young workers less, in a protest against youth rates.
The rally was organised by the Wellington Youth Union Movement, and Unite Union. It was aimed both at the companies that paid younger workers less, and the government that let them.
"Ruth Dyson, Minister of Labour, said that if an a 17 year old was doing the same job as someone older then they could get equal wages if their employer was a good employer. She obviously hasn't been in a real workplace for a very long time – 17 year olds regularly do exactly the same job as those older than them, and good employers are as common as unicorns." said Grace Millar, Unite Secretary.
A young cafe worker talked about her experience, where she was paid $6.30 an hour to work as a barista and was expected to train older workers who were paid twice as much as her.
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Re: Youth Rates Smashed
That should be a frightening example for the bosses in the future!
I didn't know you had youth workers in NZ.
Here everyone is 55, or older. Which explains that you will never see 7 people turning over bins, trashing pvc bags, and being generally so agile.
And Dick Smith is a lousy electronics dealer, not needing your advertorial on your activism.
What's the new wage outcome then, by the way?
I was realy pissed off
because I had a lecture and couldn't attend this demo.Good job to those who did the business.
What a waste of space the "worker friendly" Labour minister is. Time for us to get ruthless.
Re: Youth Rates Smashed
The campaign's a national one, and is to demand the government legislate as well as try and bargain for $12 (as I understand it). This is a campaign that will I imagine would take months to bring to a conclusion.
You can find out more here:
http://www.supersizemypay.com/
Re: Youth Rates Smashed
Yey for pinata activism! Break the Chain!
Re: Youth Rates Smashed
There's an article on Stuff about the demo http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3496867a11,00.html
Solidarity from a socialist in Santa Cruz, CA.
I am glad to see that people are disenchanted In Aotearoa/NZ. This definetley changes my stereotype of NZ as an almost perfect nation that many people have over here in the U.S.
Keep on strugglin, and remember that it is you who will make change. DO NOT trust politicians. I hope all goes well and you achieve your goal for the strike.
Solidarity.
-hector