Workers protest outside SkyCity in Auckland's CBD. Photo / Tom Dillane
Workers protest outside SkyCity in Auckland's CBD. Photo / Tom Dillane
SkyCity Auckland casino workers walked off the job tonightin a fight for better pay.
About 50 to 60 workers congregated outside the Auckland city casino on Victoria Street with placards and flags.
A Unite Union truck had a loudspeaker blaring support for the workers as the Saturday night crowd wandered to and from the casino.
The workers want to be paid the living wage but instead 90 per cent of staff have been offered a pay rise of between 4 and 6 per cent, which was well below inflation, Unite Union advocate Mike Treen said.
The strike began at 6pm, with a picket line outside SkyCity's Auckland Casino, and was over by 8.30pm.
Workers protesting outside SkyCity in Auckland's CBD want to be paid the living wage. Photo / Tom Dillane
Under the Living Wage Movement Aotearoa, to become living wage accredited employers must pay all workers and contractors a living wage - with no changes to employment conditions or working hours - and ensure employees have access to a union.
The living wage hourly rate for 2022/23 is $23.65 and comes into effect on September 1. The minimum wage for those aged over 16 in New Zealand is $21.20.
SkyCity's failure on the living wage was a "disgrace", Treen said.
"This hotel employer is the only major one in the industry refusing to pay a living wage.
"It is also disgraceful that on the company's 25th anniversary, staff who started on day one are paid the same hourly rate as those just starting at the company for the same job.
"There are almost zero rewards for service."
Unite Union estimated 50 workers had walked off their jobs at the casino.
"We fired our shot and if we don't get a response, we will have to fire more shots," Treen said
SkyCity Entertainment Group this week reported a $33.6 million loss for 2022, thanks to last year's long lockdown.
Unite Union advocate Mike Treen says SkyCity could be doing better by its workers. File photo / Michael Craig
SkyCity workers are striking for better pay. Photo / Getty Images
Its Auckland operations were closed for 107 days during the Delta-outbreak sparked lockdown.
No dividend was announced when the company's results were posted to the NZX on Thursday, but hopes were expressed that payments to shareholders could resume next year.
But Treen said the latest results were no reason workers should miss out.
"The company may have lost a few million dollars last year but they have a virtual licence to print money and have rewarded shareholders with several billion dollars over the last few decades.
"It's time for workers to get their fair share."
SkyCity released a statement saying they were disappointed Unite had chosen to strike, as they were in the middle of ongoing negotiations and were scheduled to meet with them this Thursday.
"We would encourage them to return to negotiations for their members. We are focused on a positive outcome for all employees, which reflects the challenging economic conditions due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic including the closure of SkyCity Auckland for over 100 days," the statement said.
The company said they were unable to comment on the details of the wage offer, however, they could confirm increases for non-union employees who made up 70 per cent of the workforce.
Fulltime staff on Individual Employment Agreements would, on average, receive an extra $1200 this year, with wage increases ranging between 4 and 13.4 per cent, depending on the role, the statement said.
Staff on IEAs were also eligible for a one-year service rate which was an hourly rate equivalent to the September 2022 Living Wage ($23.65) after one year's service with SkyCity, the statement said.
"Service recognition rates have also been increased (in some cases doubling) to recognise and reward employees who have been with the company for five years or longer."
