Workers sign 'treaty' on living wage

First Union members signed a Living Wage pledge in Masterton yesterday.

Sheryl Cadman, First Union central region secretary, said a group of 23 union members signed the pledge after their meeting at Masterton Town Hall.

The group comprised workers from retail, banking and manufacturing companies in the town and discussions were held about "what we're calling our new treaty" on a living wage of $18.40 an hour in New Zealand, safe, secure and decent work conditions, and jobs for all, Mrs Cadman said.

Members had raised concerns about the curtailing of hours for retail workers, she said, where employers had put a sinking lid on full-time positions and were making retail "a part-time industry".

"We fight every time a company wants to cut hours and we make it as difficult as we can," she said.

A First Union organiser had been travelling to Wairarapa every two to three weeks over the past three months to negotiate with employers over the cutting of members' hours, she said.

"Most of the meetings have been over changes in hours and we're dealing with a case currently," she said.

"There are low wages in retail and the workers are finding it difficult to earn a living when hours are cut.

"It's tough out there and getting tougher all the time," Mrs Cadman said.