The momentum is building. Join us!

Candidates will be asked by communities to step up for a Living Wage at this year’s local body elections in Auckland, Wellington and beyond. The Living Wage Movement will hold seven meetings in Auckland with communities that want to see employees and contracted workers at Auckland Council paid a Living Wage. Living Wage Aotearoa NZ will join with the following Auckland communities to call for a Living Wage and to support other critical issues that really matter to their communities:

Unions @ Papatoetoe Cosi Club | August 22, 4-6pm
Women @ Columbus Centre, Ponsonby | September 3, 6-8pm
Youth @ Auckland University quad | September 4, 12.30-1.30pm
Migrant and Refugees @ Mays Rd Memorial Hall | September 7, 4-6pm
Faith-based groups @ Columbus Centre, Ponsonby | September 10, 7-9pm
West Auckland communities & unions @ | TBA
Pacific Communities @ Pacific Island Church Otara | October 4, 5-7pm

Be part of New Zealand’s first broad-based community alliance to win a Living Wage as one way to address growing poverty and inequality. If you’re a group, you can go to the Living Wage website here and click on “Join” and this will take you to a form for membership.

Wellington confirms Living Wage vote

Councils revisiting the Living Wage

Wellington City Council has re-endorsed the principle of becoming a Living Wage Council and a Living Wage Capital. The resolution passed on June 11 stated that officers to work with stakeholders to develop a ‘Living Wage Framework’ and a report back in November 2013 that:

a) provides for the phased implementation of a Living Wage for directly employed Council staff, staff employed by Council controlled organisations and contractors who deliver council services
b) advises of the impact on council’s procurement policy and future tendering arrangements
c) determines the role(s) for council in advocating for a Living Wage Capital.
Further, provision is made in the 2013/14 annual plan of $250k, for commencing implementation from 1 January 2014.

Hamilton Council will vote to confirm support for directly employed workers to receive a Living Wage over the next two years BUT this excludes contracted workers and they will, therefore, not be a Living Wage Council.

If you want to get involved in the Living Wage Movement in Wellington, the next network meeting will be held at 3:00-4:30pm on Thursday 18th July at St. Andrews on The Terrace.

Inequality launched

Max Rashbrooke writes in his book Inequality: A New Zealand Crisis “Jaine Ikurere, the 63-year –old woman who cleans the Prime Minister’s office, is still on just $14.60 an hour after 19 years cleaning at Parliament. Social mobility does not reduce the numbers of people in poverty if pay rates remain low: as people move “up the ladder”, others will simply take their place in poorly paid jobs. Also if a job’s worth doing – as many low paid jobs clearly are – then people should be able to do it and enjoy a decent life without having to move another job.”

The Auckland launch of this important book is Monday, July 8 at 6pm, in Auckland University’s Old Government House. All welcome. Professor Robert Wade will be giving a guest lecture at the launch titled ‘Inequality and the West: Capitalism at a Tipping Point’. You can purchase a copy of Inequality here.

Dunedin school implements the Living Wage

East Valley Normal School in Dunedin is the latest employer, and the first school, to publicly back and implement a Living Wage. North East Valley Normal School principal John McKenzie said the school was inspired to join the Living Wage Movement. Mr McKenzie said there was also a common concern about the growing gap between the rich and poor in New Zealand. As poverty increased, more and more New Zealanders were not paid enough to meet their needs, enjoy their lives and participate in society. ”We wanted to do something about that. We’ve worked out that we can afford to pay our staff at least $18.40p/h if we tighten up in other budget areas. ”That was the big decision for the board of trustees”. The Living Wage Movement congratulates John McKenzie and his Board of Trustees!