Cake stall raises $1,300 + - now it's time for Government and Westpac to step up
"Overwhelming public generosity towards the 186 workers who lost their jobs at Lane Walker Rudkin last week should be taken as a signal to Westpac and the Government that we want more done to support workers who lose their jobs," says Laila Harré, National Secretary of the National Distribution Union.
The NDU has today reiterated its call for a more effective response from the Government and Westpac to the LWR redundancies, after a cake stall today raised $1,300 towards a union support fund set up for the workers.
"If a modest cake stall outside LWR's banker Westpac can raise $1,300, then the Government and bank should do better still," she said.
LWR workers in Christchurch will be holding a similar stall outside Sydenham Westpac at 1 pm tomorrow (Tuesday 19th May).
"We are hopeful that the government will come through with the funds needed for a resource centre that has been set up by the workers to help them with job search and other needs over the next few months. So far Westpac have offered nothing. If LWR in receivership cannot guarantee the holiday and redundancy pay owing to these workers, then Westpac and the Government need to do something more concrete to help the workers affected."
"The support from the Wellington community today has been fantastic, and has encouraged us to keep up our fundraising efforts. An account has been set up to receive donations from members of the public."
The account details are:
National Distribution Union Fighting Fund
Bank of New Zealand
02-0192-0491501-000
Contact:
Laila Harré, NDU National Secretary on:
(021) 839 661.
Media liaison: Sam Huggard:
(021) 462-148 or (04) 803-1191.
Background:
A fundraising initiative was launched today by the NDU, the union representing workers made redundant on Friday by the receivers of textile and apparel maker LWR. Workers may receive their wages tomorrow for their last week of work, but there is no guarantee they will see any holiday or redundancy pay owing to them. The union is calling for the government and Westpac to act as a guarantor for these payments.
