Media release: Radical Youth

29/04/2006

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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

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