Media release: Radical Youth
29/04/2006
--
Radical Youth May Day Action
29/04/2006
May 1 will see young people lead the most significant action in the campaign to abolish youth rates, which is being
waged by organisations around Aotearoa. In the wake of the now famous school walkout, there will be a rally and march on
May Day to continue the struggle for workers' rights.
"Radical Youth is staunchly opposed to the oppressive capitalist- system we live under,and today is specifically about
the community demanding politicians to end pay discrimination against young people by supporting the bill currently in
parliament" said a Radical Youth spokesperson, Sam West.
The Radical Youth-organised event will take place in Aotea Square at 4pm, May 1, and will be followed by a march down
Queen St. The public protest will then meet the annual Council of Trade Union's action, and both groups will march back
up Queen St in a show of solidarity between all workers.
"May Day holds special significance in Aotearoa this year as the Greens' bill to abolish youth rates hangs in the
balance at Select Committee. 2006 has also seen young people becoming increasingly politically active, and May Day this
year will continue this trend." said Sam.
May Day is historically an important day for workers internationally:
- It was a vital part in the movement for the 8-hour working day; - and a day often characterised by state-violence
towards workers
The action on Monday will include many secondary school students attending after school. There have been free buses
organized to help students get to the protest after school, paid for by various unions including the PPTA as a show of
support for the anti-youth rates campaign.
The rally and march is to raise awareness and voice opinion on:
- Youth rates. There are currently hundreds of under-18 year olds being paid less than their 18-year old co-workers
despite doing equal work. We comming togeather to demand that no one be paid less than the minimum wage based on their
age.
- Demonstrate the huge level of public opposition to Wayne Mapp's neo-liberal, employer-biased bill. It will allow some
of the country's most vulnerable workers to be fired without cause within 90- days of employment. It will make these
workers even more vunerable as they will not feel able to act on things such as sexual harrasemnent in the work place
for fear of instant dismissal. It is completely out- of-step with the current movements for better wages and conditions
internationally and here at home.
"We invite everyone, students, teachers, family and the whole community to attend this protest to continue the struggle
for workers' rights" he said.
This protest has been organized by Radical Youth - a group of anti- capitalist youth. It is a chance for youth to tell
the government, fast food companies, supermarkets and every employer who pays youth rates that the people of this
country are opposed to all forms of discrimination, including on the basis of age.
ENDS