Workers strike against 'wage freeze'

On Friday 27 November at 11am support workers in Christchurch hospitals went on strike for 4 hours. These members of the Service and Food Workers Union (SFWU) included cleaners, kitchen staff, and orderlies.

They were supported by hospital office staff who are members of the Public Service Association. The number of workers taking strike action was increased by school support workers (librarians, admin staff etc), members of the New Zealand Educational Institute.

The throng of workers grew ever larger with the addition of Idea Services (IHC) workers taking a 9 hour strike action from 11.30am.

All these workers are resisting a zero % wage offer because of the lack of government funding.

A crowd of 500 gathered in Victoria Square where they were addressed by our mp, Ruth Dyson. Her words of support from the Labour Party were well received and greatly appreciated.

This action was mirrored nationally. More than 1000 workers heard Phil Goff address them in Auckland, 350 in the Hamilton rally, Timaru  200….in fact thousands of workers in 27 cities and towns across the country gave a loud warning to the government: "Wage freeze, no way!"

Chas Muir of the SFWU said, "We anticipate industrial action will escalate next year as more workers get a ‘zero %’ wage offer as a result of this government’s inadequate funding. The SFWU will work alongside other unions to maximise their effect and force the government to change course. Why should the country’s poorest workers be the ones to bare the brunt of the recession?"