MEDIA RELEASE
14 JUNE 2011

Rising food costs a kick in the guts for struggling working families

“Today’s announcement that food prices have risen 7.4 per cent in the past year will come as no surprise to struggling working families,” said John Ryall, National Secretary of the Service and Food Workers Union Ngā Ringa Tota.

“The rising cost of basic food items on top of increased costs in early childhood services, petrol and public transport is yet another kick in the guts for workers who are increasingly struggling to make ends meet.

“These costs cannot be absorbed by ordinary families and must be addressed with higher wages.”

John Ryall said the majority of the Service and Food Workers Union’s 23,000 membership were trying to survive on hourly rates close to the minimum wage of $13 and many were also subject to insecure hours of work.

“In election year the top issue for workers like SFWU members and their families is a living wage, with an immediate shift to a $15 minimum,” he said.

“Alongside a higher minimum wage we must have stronger work-rights law, which enables unions to negotiate fair pay and conditions for members.”

SFWU members work as cleaners, caregivers, food workers, community support workers and in a range of other occupations.

ENDS

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