More people taking strike action over low wages and insecure work
Written By:
- Date published:
9:30 am, October 11th, 2016 - 12 comments
Categories: business, Unions, workers' rights -
Tags: first union, infomercials, strike, thin lizzy
From Newshub:
A company that supplies products for a number of popular advertorial brands is facing increased pressure to budge on work hours and pay, after workers launched their third strike in five days.
Employees at the distribution centre of Brand Developers TV Shop, which supplies Thin Lizzy and Transforma Ladder products, walked off the job at 8am on Monday, after also protesting on Thursday and Friday last week.
…
“Every working person deserves secure work hours and fair pay – but at the [Brand Developers] TV Shop, the people who do the work of selling and moving its brands are expected to survive on little more than the minimum wage and a roster that changes from week to week.”
…
The latest trio of strikes in the last week follow a protest from employees working at the company’s call centre in September this year.
Don’t believe the rockstar bullshit – the CEOs may be dragging the average wage up with their pay rises but the real people doing the work are still getting squeezed.
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- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
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- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
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Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
- He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan
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- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...20 hours ago - PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...3 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
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- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
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- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
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- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...3 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...3 days ago
- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...3 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
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- Appointments to the ENZ board
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...4 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...4 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
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- Judicial appointment announced
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- GDP data highlights importance of growth
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- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...4 days ago
- Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
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- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...4 days ago
- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
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- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...4 days ago
- Levelling the playing field for media advertising
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- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...5 days ago
- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
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- A busy year in the House
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- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
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- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
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- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
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- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
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- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
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- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
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- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
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- Gene Technology Bill passes first reading
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There’s been a marked increase in industrial action in the past 12 months. A sign of an unhappy nation.
The wilfully blind cherry-pick average wage increases from the government friendly Stats NZ, and call them increases for the ‘average Kiwi’. Not so if a wide range of Kiwis from fast food workers and bus drivers to doctors and teachers are all striking.
“There’s been a marked increase in industrial action in the past 12 months”.
Do you have any evidence for this claim? Number of strikes, days lost, that sort of thing?
It had to happen , sooner or later… you cant keep hiding behind minimum wages ,flat rates , cheap foreign labour , and basically treating people like shit for ever and a day. Something has to give. And exacerbated by the lack of unionization of the workforce and the exploitative nature of the Employment Relations Act – the child of the Employment Contracts Act,…
It was only a matter of time. And time it is. We’ve had enough of the neo liberal shafting of people in the workforce. They brought it on themselves with their duplicity ,double talk and greed. Its good to see people awakening and starting to stand up for themselves once more.
+111
“ Its good to see people awakening and starting to stand up for themselves once more.”
Hear hear!
But it will be a long hard road back. My dad lived from 1899 to 1994. All his adult life, and as a young teen during the First World War in Britain he was involved in the Union movement fighting for better conditions. The ECA and the ERA have basically removed all the gains hard fought for, over decades – they won’t want to hand them back on a plate.
Working exactly as planned then.
Well done Distribution workers at Brand Developments and good luck!
You know, I see constantly see ads on line for Thin Lizzy demonstrators. The going rate is minimum wage. Crap product, crap wages. No wonder they can’t fill the role. No wonder they are having staff walk off the site. No wonder at all.
.
. Where is the Cabinet ?
.
If John Key was a leader, he would make sure that all workers in New Zealand receive a fair go, in wages. and in conditions.
But no. He and Billy English slag off against Workers.
It is as if they want to destroy employees of all sectors. They have cynically shown in a number of ways they don’t want prosperity for the people who do the work in this country.
Apparently Key and English get large cheques from grateful Fagans and scrooges who ill treat the workforce.
The National Party does have a duty of care. Well, not this National Party. Oh no.
Mr English and Mr Key, Forcing people to strike is Satanic!
.
For a company use to using subcontractors, this dispute has been a long time in the works.
Also some job placement agencies have been doing the dirty work for this lot, for quite a while. I can think of a dispute I helped with back in 2006/7.
Wash your mouth out adam.
You forget your place when you say things like “I helped with back in 2006/7”.
All was heaven and New Zealand was a paradise on earth at that time. We had the sainted Helen as leader with her band of loyal acolytes.
Yeah what about when they ( the gnats ) talk about a house for life (State houses) yet Billy boy English has no problem with his job for life and for the old boys to have jobs hypocritical of him but he is not the nice man people portray him to be remember he was abusing the system himself and got caught.
The Double Dipper from Dipton, and his mate , the State House Kid.