Local communities in Mangere, Napier and Palmerston North will rally in support of locked out families at 12 noon today, says the National Distribution Union.

National Secretary Laila Harré said that local communities will rally at 12 noon today at the Mangere Town Centre, the Palmerston North town square and outside of the Napier Woolworths on Carlyle St.

Ms Harré said that the rally in Auckland will go ahead despite the rain and current negotiations to use the Mangere Town Hall being unsuccesful despite the help of a local councellor.

Some workers will be joining a short hikoi from the 80 Favona road picket line at 11 o'clock to the Mangere town centre, she said.

Ms Harré said that locked out workers in Auckland and Palmerston North cheered when they were told that 1,500 supporters and workers turned out for the Christchurch rally yesterday. Some had tears in their eyes, she said.

ENDS

? Mangere Town Centre, Auckland, 12 noon. Contact Laila Harre on 021 839 661
? Palmerston North, 12 noon at the town square. Contact Dion Martin on 021 776 029
? Napier, 12 noon outside Napier Woolworths on Carlye st. Contact: Dean Hyde on 021 776 032

An automatic $20 donation can be made at 0900 LOCK OUT (0900 5625 688)

Donations for the locked out workers can also be made out to the National Distribution Union at 02-0200-0217968-00 with the reference "Lock Out".

Contacts

Simon Oosterman 021 922 551 (Media Liaison)
Laila Harré 021 839 661(National Secretary)le St Contact: Dean Hyde on 021 776 032