4 April 2012

Time to talk about a living wage – SFWU

The Service and Food Workers Union Ngā Ringa Tota has welcomed Labour MP Andrew Little’s private member’s bill lifting the minimum wage to $15, but says $15 is nowhere near enough to live on.

“Our union strongly supports Andrew Little’s move because it demonstrates that $13.50 is an insult to low-paid workers and their families,” said SFWU National Secretary John Ryall today.

“But we need a significant increase to lift our hardworking families from poverty pay and that means talking about a real living wage and it means more than $15 an hour.”

The Service Workers Union represents 23,000 workers who cook, clean and care for New Zealanders. Many are on close to the current minimum wage.

“While our members are so low paid they would welcome a $15 minimum wage, we should note that Darien Fenton had this bill in the ballot for over year and it is no longer enough to live on,” said John Ryall

“A cleaner in Australia’s major cities gets fifty per cent more compared to cleaners in New Zealand. Catching up with Australia will never happen until we significantly lift the minimum wage.”

John Ryall said there was a rising tide of discontent in New Zealand about poverty and inequality and strong support for lifting wages of workers like caregivers and cleaners.

“Many members of the SFWU, who are currently paid a few cents above the minimum wage, are already struggling to survive and feed their families. Our members perform vitally important roles, providing care for some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders. The fact is $13.50, or $15 an hour, is not a living wage,” he said.

“Increasingly New Zealanders are uniting around a call for a more equitable society, where all workers receive a living wage. Until the very lowest pay rates are increased, the equity gap will grow and with it, poverty in New Zealand.”

ENDS

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