McDonald's and other companies say no to youth rates

McDonald's and other companies say no to youth rates

The decision of McDonald's, KFC, Starbucks and Pizza Hutt to not use controversial youth pay rates for young employees has been welcomed by the Same Work Same Pay campaign.

Spokesperson James Sleep says the decision shows youth rates are unnecessary and won't encourage the growth of new jobs in New Zealand.

“We welcome the decision by McDonald’s, KFC, Starbucks and Pizza Hutt to not use youth rates. It shows that youth rates are unnecessary”.

Sleep says other companies must now follow the lead, such as Pak’n Save and New World which have welcomed lower pay rates.

“Pak’n Save and New World will take advantage of lower pay to make more money. This will mean workers over 19 could very likely lose hours and potentially not be hired at all because of this. Their competitors, Countdown, have gone in the opposite direction and have said they will continue to use their existing pay structure.”.

“We call on all businesses to not use youth rates and to ensure young workers are paid fairly and treated with dignity as they transition into the workforce”.

ENDS

Same Work Same Pay is a coalition of groups opposing the introduction of a Starting Out Wage. This includes the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions youth sector Stand UP, the NZ Union of Student Associations, Young Greens, Young Labour, the Service and Food Workers Union, First Union and the Public Service Association youth sector (PSAY).

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