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Unite, New Zealand's youngest and fastest growing union, is throwing a party for working people, young and old, in the Octagon on Labour Day.
The event is the Dunedin launch of the nationwide Campaign for a Living Wage, which aims to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour through a citizens initiated referendum.
Kevin Hodder, physics student and member of the International Socialist Organisation (ISO), said it was past time wages rose to keep up with rising fuel and food prices.
"450,000 New Zealanders work for less than $15 an hour, while CEOs like [Otago University Vice-Chancellor] David Skegg earn more than half a million a year."
Modelled on the old-fashioned trade union picnic but jazzed up with some fresh Dunedin sounds, the event is co-hosted by Unite, the ISO and the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ). Sound support is provided by Sam Carroll, manager of iconic Dunedin music venue, Sammy's.
Ecophonik, TLA, Baba Yaga, and Emere Leitch Munro are a few of the musicians who will join Dunedin’s Aruande Capoeira school in providing a laidback party atmosphere for the launch.
Hodder said the campaign had wide appeal, particularly for young workers and students and the support from local musicians was great.
But the message of the campaign is serious.
Unite regional delegate Chris Matahaere has been working hard organizing fast food workers in Dunedin. He said Labour, the Greens, the Maori Party and the CTU support a $15 minimum wage and Unite aimed to make that a reality through union organisation and the Campaign for a Living Wage.
Labour MP Pete Hodgson will share the stage with Unite National Director Mike Treen and local activists and trade unionists.
“There’s a lot of scare tactics about higher wages causing unemployment but there’s no hard evidence,” Matahaere said.
“In fact, small businesses will be better off because working people will have more money to spend.” -Campaign for a Living Wage launch, Octagon, 2pm, Labour Day (October 26)
-Speakers include Pete Hodgson, Mike Treen (unite national director), and representatives from the International Socialists, the Alliance Party, Young Labour, the Public Service Association and others.
-Acts include Ecophonik, TLA, Queen Anne’s Revenge, Baba Yaga, Sundance Kids, Emere Leitch-Munro, Aruande Capoeira, the university juggling club
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