August 1, 2008 Media Release

Workers rally for stronger rights, higher wages

More than 1500 union members braved bitter weather at Christchurch’s Addington Raceway this afternoon to call for stronger work rights and higher wages.

The rally was the first of 25 EPMU-organised Work Rights Wage Drive rallies to be held this month and was also the launch of the union’s Work Rights Checklist, which states the rights needed to ensure New Zealand workers continue to get decent wage rises.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says the Wage Drive and the Checklist are about making sure working New Zealanders understand how important their work rights are.

“Work Rights are some of the most important rights we have because they provide the legal foundation all Kiwi workers need to secure fair wages and a decent way of life for themselves and their families.

“We’re calling on all political parties to recognise this fact and to guarantee they will maintain and strengthen current work rights to ensure New Zealand workers can keep up with the rising cost of living and start getting ahead together.

“We’ve canvassed thousands of members over the last year in delegate forums, industry councils and at our national conference and have put together a checklist of the Work Rights our members have told us they need.

“Strong work rights and decent wages are a fundamental part of a civilised society and a decent way of life.”

The EPMU is New Zealand’s largest private sector union, representing 50,000 members across eleven industries.

For more information about the Work Rights Wage Drive visit www.workrights.org.nz.

The Work Rights Checklist can be downloaded at

http://workrights.org.nz/assets/Work-Rights/Work-Rights-Checklistpdf

ENDS

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