1 March – No Rest for Striking Workers!
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Contrary to the Radio NZ report this morning, the numbers attending the striker’s picket in Upper Hutt would have numbered at least double what was reported.
Despite on-off heavy rain, between 75 – 100 people stood on the side of Fergusson Drive, putting their case for a liveable wage,
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Only last year, John Key promised New Zealanders that the “driving goal of my Government is to build a more competitive and internationally-focused economy with less debt, more jobs and higher incomes” and we took him at his word.
Ordinary, hard-working New Zealanders who want nothing more than a decent wage so they can put food on their tables, and provide the best possible home for their children,
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Some of the striking workers stood on the opposite side of the road,
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Judging by the constant tooting of horns from passing vehicles, the picketing workers had considerable public support. On occassion, the car-tooting was non-stop, making talking almost impossible.
A wage of $13.61 an hour is simply not a credible income to live on. Should the government be worried? I’d say, “yes – definitely”.
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Green MPs Catherine Delahunty (L) and Denise Roche (R), addressing workers. They voiced their Party’s support for workers to be paid a reasonable, liveable wage,
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Labour MP, Kris Faafoi, voicing Labour’s support for striking workers,
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Service & Food Workers Union sector-secretary, Alastair Duncan, telling workers that they were dedicated to their profession and deserved to be adequately remunerated,
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Despite the sporadic heavy rain, the picket numbers swelled as more people joined in,
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Rimutaka Labour MP, Chris Hipkins, joining the picket in solidarity with workers,
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The signs said it all,
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A “Fair Deal” – what could be more reasonable than that?
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An indication of the heavy rain that picketers put up with. It did not deter them, and more joined the protest-line to support workers,
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This sign, I believe, summed it up very well,
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TV1 news camera covered the workers’ protest,
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More media,
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Interviewing one of the striking workers,
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Interviewing another striking worker,
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Striking for a better wage, to to put on the table for families, and to ensure that their children get the best possible start in life,
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The Mana Party showed it’s presence and support,
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Green MP, Denise Roche (L) and Green activist, Conor (R),
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The overall feeling of the workers was upbeat and positive. Public support was noisy, with constant car-horn tooting. The message to employers and to the National government was crystal clear: ” pay us a decent, liveable wage“!
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Media reporting
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Frankly Speaking... 
Fantastic Frank and thank you for all photos and honest reporting gee Danger Mouse is so proud of you 🙂 and so appreciate you reporting the facts, unlike other media eg what you said “Contrary to the Radio NZ report this morning, the numbers attending the striker’s picket in Upper Hutt would have numbered at least double what was reported” The Key media/regime/guillotine have a lot to answer for and yes, they must be worried, should be worried, very worried!! Bless all our SFW, especially our amazing carers, bless them all. Sorry I couldn’t be there but with you in spirit always. xx
Rain, hail, sleet, snow want stop NZ’rs giving govt firm messages, let’s hope govt heed this uprising because WE”VE HAD ENOUGH
Thank u so much for coming along today and supports us in the rain and all
Thanks for the positive, uplifting comments and support, Elsa. I’m in awe of these workers who try to raise families on $13.61 an hour.
By comparison, John Key got a $11,000 pay increase, and other Ministers and MPs did almost as well. http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5981284/MPs-get-pay-rise-package-of-7000?
It’s time National lived up to it’s pledge to raise wages. And if they can’t, at least make the first $20,000 tax-free and bring in a Land/Wealth tax to close the loopholes in our taxation system.
Otherwise we’ll end up with such grinding poverty in New Zealand that no one will want to work and live here.
Again, much appreciation for your support, Elsa. I think we all do our little bit – and together it snowballs into a social action that Key & Co. can’t hold back.
It was the least I could do, Leigh. You folks deserve so much more than the pittance you’re currently paid.
And judging by all the horn-tooting that went on, I think most folk agree!
All the best to you, and your colleagues!
My mum is in one of those homes. The workers deserve so much more than the minimum wage they’re getting now.
If we don’t pay them a decent pay, they’ll be off to Australia where rest home workers earn a lot more! Who will look after us then as we get older?
So true! I wonder what we’d do if rest home workers decided to jump the ditch and head to Australia? Probably bring in slave labour from Korea like the fishing boats, I suppose.
I weep for our country