Hamilton City Council candidates back the Living Wage

A majority of candidates for positions on Hamilton City Council support a Living Wage for all council staff, and the PSA is welcoming their stance.

Nearly two-thirds of this year’s candidates responded to a PSA survey asking whether they supported the Living Wage and the city’s water being managed by a Council Controlled Organisation.

Most of the candidates who responded backed the Living Wage and strongly opposed a CCO for water.

"We are delighted so many council candidates responded to our survey on the two issues our members have told us are the important in this election", PSA organiser Daryl Gatenby says.

"Living Wage accredited employers pay all their staff and contractors an hourly rate that allows them to live a decent life.

"We look forward to working with Hamilton City Council to help them join the growing number of local bodies that are taking the pledge to become accredited."

Mr Gatenby says it’s also good news that so many opposed a CCO managing water.

"The PSA strongly opposes any moves towards privatisation, and giving a CCO control of Hamilton’s water is definitely a step in that direction.

"It would also weaken ratepayers’ control over essential infrastructure, which we believe is vitally important to local democracy.

"Our members have told us that Hamilton wants to keep local assets in local hands, and we’re pleased to see so many council candidates agree."

The full list of responses can be seen here:

https://responses.psa.org.nz/hcc_election_survey_results_2016.asp

ENDS

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