Around fifty workers and supporters picketed outside Auckland’s Centra Airport hotel on Monday evening while Justice Department officials inside were holding a conference on Pasifika issues. The hotel staff were striking in support of a 5% pay increase.
Unite union delegate Paul Butler said the strike was as much about wages as it was conditions. He said that many staff, like their fellow worker Lopa Muliaga, struggled to keep up with power and phone bills.
Brendon Sheehan, the nephew of Mr Muliaga, joined the picket and brought a message of support from the family. He said the family were grieving for his aunty but were pleased the staff were taking a stand.
Centra’s parent company, Intercontinental Hotel Group, made operating profits of $NZ606 million last year.
Picketers holding Toot for Support signs got what they asked for. There was non-stop honking from the heavy traffic.

Contact Daphna Whitmore, Unite organiser 0294949865

Background:
The Centra is part of Intercontinental Hotel Group. IHG is an international company which employs around 11,500 people worldwide. It has 7 hotel brands, 3,700 hotels across nearly 100 countries and 558,000 rooms. In 2006 profits rose by 16% to $NZ606 million (www.ihgplc.com/)