July 15, 2008

CPI shows wages must rise faster - EPMU

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union says pressure for higher wages will continue following today's announcement that the CPI has risen by 4% in the year to June.

This increase in the cost of living is higher than predicted and comes mainly from food and fuel inflation - both of which have hit working New Zealanders particularly hard.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little says that while most EPMU members are in a better position to weather the cost increases than the average working New Zealander the unexpected increase in living costs will be a factor in negotiations.

"While most of our members have been achieving decent wage increases this new jump in costs is going to have to be taken into account in upcoming collective negotiations.

"Every time our members fill up their cars or fill their supermarket trolleys they're feeling the pinch and the only answer to that is to ensure that they're getting high enough wages to keep ahead of the game.

"It also needs to be recognised that without strong work rights Kiwi workers would not have the tools to win the pay rises they need and that any reduction in these rights will only make it harder for workers and their families to get by."

The EPMU will be holding 25 mass-member rallies around the country in the month of August to promote stronger work rights and higher wages for its fifty thousand members and all working New Zealanders. For more information visit www.workrights.org.nz .

ENDS

© Scoop Media