The $1 an hour increase in the minimum wage with $0.80 cents for 16 and 17 year olds is a substantial move that will make a real difference for many low paid workers said National Distribution Union National Secretary Laila Harré today.

“The minimum wage is on the move and the challenge now is for employers who want to be more than minimum wage payers to engage in collective bargaining with unions and lift themselves off the floor,” said Ms Harré.

Laila Harré said that the fact that tens if not hundreds of thousands of workers would benefit from the Government increase was an “indictment on a culture of low pay and long hours.”

“As we head into Christmas spare a thought for the workers who will be stitching together two or three minimum wage jobs to put some presents under the tree. Our wage rates are far too low and working hours far too long.”

Laila Harré said that while young shop workers without a collective agreement would appreciate their extra 80 cents an hour the Government had provided no justification for maintaining a discriminatory youth minimum wage.

“The only reason employers pay young workers less than their adult workmates is because they can. It’s a shame the Government has not chosen to dismantle this last vestige of pay discrimination now. Let’s hope they support Sue Bradford’s private member’s bill to this effect in the New Year.”

ENDS

Note to editors - the NDU will be making an announcement on a significant new wage deal in the supermarket industry on Wednesday.

Contact:

Workers will be available for interview.

Simon Oosterman, Media Liason on 021 922 551
Laila Harré, National Secretary on 021 839 661