Last Saturday, Unite Union members of Auckland’s SkyCity walked off the job at 6pm, striking for better wages.
Union advocate Mike Treen explained that they had been negotiating with the company for almost a year to get a living wage. SkyCity agreed to the demand a year ago, but then withdrew because of the lockdowns.
Treen said the company's last offer was a pay increase of between 4-6 percent for around 90 percent of staff.
The union's delegate, Shirley Yang, said staff who started at SkyCity 25 years ago, are today paid the same hourly rate as those just starting at the company.
“I have to say we are very disappointed and frustrated for the company for treating our long-time service like new staff. I’ve worked for more than twenty years for this company. We contribute a lot. We’ve got more skills and more experience.
“At this time, we’ve contributed a lot to the company. The company pay less rate than others who are in the same position. It’s ridiculous, that’s why we won’t accept it.
“We’ve already had negotiations, no result at all, so that’s why we’re here today.”
SkyCity said in a statement it was “disappointed” union members had decided to strike, as they were in the middle of negotiations and were scheduled to meet on Thursday.
