Engage Aotearoa

Tag Archives: Living Wage Campaign

Update on the Living Wage Campaign

June 1, 2012 11:05 pm ⋅

LIVING WAGE AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND LAUNCHED IN AUCKLAND

On Wednesday 23 May an exciting new movement of community, faith-based groups and unions united around a common goal to address poverty and inequality in New Zealand was launched.

Around 200 people attended the launch of Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand in St Stephen’s church hall in Jervois Road, Ponsonby, Auckland. The event was a positive and affirming celebration.

A big thanks to all the community organisations, faith-based groups, unions and others who made this launch a huge success!

The launch

Our MC, Rev Mua Strickson Pua, did a wonderful job, even inviting speaker Uesefili Unasa to join him for a hiphop version of the song She Works Hard For Her Money.

Uesefili spoke of the importance of a living wage for the Pacific community. Other speakers included: Darryl Evans from Mangere Budgeting and Family Support Services, Rev Margaret Mayman from St Andrews on the Terrace, NZ Council of Trade Unions President, Helen Kelly, and Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota President Barbara Wyeth and National Secretary John Ryall.

Those speeches will be published on the new Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand website http://www.livingwagenz.org.nz/ when they are available.

The winner and runner up of the SFWU Living Wage song competition, Kane Hogan performed his song. Listen here. http://soundcloud.com/living-wage-aotearoa-nz/kane-hogan-more-for-all-need-a.

But the highlight was the official sign-on by community organisations, church groups and unions to a giant poster of the Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand statement:

“A living wage is the income necessary to provide workers and their families with the basic necessities of life. A living wage will enable workers to live in dignity and to participate as active citizens in society. We call upon the Government, employers and society as a whole, to strive for a living wage for all households as a necessary and important step in the reduction of poverty in New Zealand.”

Afterwards, community, church people and unions joined for a lunch.

Supporting organisations

The list of supporting organisations is growing daily. For a list of all organisations (to 23 May) click here. www.livingwagenz.org.nz/support.php

Follow up

On the day of the launch a website and facebook page went live. Hundreds of people have signed on to receive regular campaign updates and have volunteered to get involved and donate their skills to the on-going campaign.

Media coverage

The launch attracted huge media coverage. To view go to: www.livingwagenz.org.nz/news.php

Next steps

Wellington Meeting

Wellington groups are invited to a meeting to plan the next steps on Wednesday 4 July 1pm – 3pm, at Epworth House, behind Methodist Church, 75 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington.

For information email: lyndy.mcintyre@sfwu.org.nz

Auckland Meeting

Auckland groups are meeting to establish an Auckland coalition on Thursday 5 July, 2pm – 4pm at St Stephen’s Church Hall, 65 Jervois Road, Ponsonby.

For information email fala.haulangi@sfwu.org.nz

Advance Pasifika

March for our future. Gather at Albert Park, Auckland at 9am 16 June to march for a better future for Pacific people.

For information: 021 024 58674 or email advance.pasifika@gmail.com

Meanwhile, sign up to the Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand facebook page: www.facebook.com/LivingWageAotearoaNewZealand

 

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The Living Wage Campaign: Add Your Support to Ours

April 25, 2012 1:47 am ⋅

A call to the community: endorse The Living Wage Campaign and push for government-level change.

… in every case a just wage is the concrete means of verifying the whole socioeconomic system and, in any case, of checking that it is functioning justly. 1981 Pope John Paul II

As the gap between the rich and poor grows in New Zealand and poverty increases, more and more New Zealanders don’t get paid enough to meet their needs, enjoy their lives and participate in society. All over the world communities are uniting to address poverty and inequality through living wage campaigns.

The Living Wage Campaign in Aotearoa New Zealand is being initiated by the Service and Food Workers Union Ngā Ringa Tota. It aims to connect unions, community and faith-based organisations together around a common goal of achieving a living wage as a necessary step in reducing inequality and poverty in our society.

We call upon the Government, employers and society as a whole, to strive for a living wage for all households as a necessary and important step in the reduction of poverty in New Zealand.

Why do we need the Living Wage Campaign?

  • New Zealand has gone from one of the most equal countries in the OECD to one of the most unequal in the past 20 years
  • The richest 150 people in New Zealand grew their wealth by 20% in 2010 while wages moved by less than 2%
  • The top 1% of earners has more wealth than the bottom 60%, or three times more than the combined cash and assets of the poorest 50 per cent
  • 200,000 NZ children are likely to be living in poverty – one in six Pakeha, one in four Pacific, and one in three Māori children

How will the Living Wage Campaign become a reality?

  • Local and central government should lead by example and ensure their employees are paid a living wage
  • All publicly-funded bodies should operate “responsible contractor” practices that guarantee a living wage for workers indirectly employed within their business
  • Corporates and other employers who can pay should lead the private sector by paying a living wage

What will the Living Wage Campaign do?

  • Call for a living wage that is based on an independently calculated rate
  • Work with local networks to build local organisation to address local needs
  • Acknowledge the many facets of a living wage including tax, transfers, and social services
  • Recognise the many voices in our community that are fighting for a just society for those in and outside of paid work
  • Make the living wage a real issue that unites communities

The Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand Campaign says: A living wage is the income necessary to provide workers and their families with the basic necessities of life. A living wage will enable workers to live with dignity and to participate as active citizens in society.

Engage Aotearoa Ltd endorses this statement. We believe a living wage will better equip all people to meet their mental-health needs and equally participate in their communities.

Add your voice to ours. Email your organisation’s own statement of support to Fala (fala.haulangi@sfwu.org.nz) or Annie (annie.newman@sfwu.org.nz).

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