06 August 2008

MEDIA RELEASE: Te Runanga o Nga Kaimahi Maori o Aotearoa, NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi

Gambling on Maori goodwill no longer acceptable

A meeting of Maori union leaders in Auckland has declared its support for the rolling strike action being taken by Sky City workers this week.

Syd Keepa, Convenor of Te Runanga o Nga Kaimahi Maori o Aotearoa, the national representative body of 60,000 unionised Maori workers reminded Maori union leaders today that when the Sky City corporation first came to Auckland, it approached Maori communities saying it was here to be an employer of choice, that would set the highest standards for wages and skilled employment.

Now in opposition to the successes of the Maori and other workers on site, Sky City management has made it clear that they are seeking to rollback the working conditions and wages to being a minimum wage employer who barely matches current industry rates, Syd Keepa said.

“The aggressive actions of Sky City management have taught us that the goodwill of Maori workers and communities are better placed with the employees fight for a better wage and decent conditions, rather than the company.”

Syd Keepa also warned that attacking the bargaining gains already won by workers at Sky City had mobilized support across several unions and that they should expect to see the collectivism that Maori are so strong at, in action over the coming weeks.

ENDS

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