May 1, 2005

Unions Issue May Day Challenge to Bosses

The Council of Trade Unions is issuing a May Day challenge to employers not to try to pass the buck on meeting workers’ reasonable pay demands.

May Day (May 1) is International Labour Day and is marked by workers around the world as the day to celebrate the success of the organised labour movement and to highlight the oppression and inequalities that still persist.

“For us it’s about the push for decent pay rises and workers getting their fair share of the country’s economic success,” said CTU secretary Carol Beaumont.

Workers in some sectors were taking industrial action to back their demands.

“Those employers who are opposing pay rises and calling for tax cuts instead are trying to pass the buck,” she said. “Workers don’t want a hand-out, they want a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.”

Paying workers well is in everyone’s interests, Carol Beaumont said. “Employers who pay fairly can expect to attract and keep skilled and productive workers.”

ENDS

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