When workers rights are under attack...

Today in Auckland and Christchurch, protests took place in reaction to the National Government accouncement of a series of drastic changes to current employment laws.   These changes include an extension of the controversial 90 day "fire at will" policy which will now be available to all employers rather than just small ones.  Other notable changes inlude the repeal of the right of union access to workplaces, which would now be subject to the preference of the employer.

In Auckland around 300 people gathered beside the Skycity complex for a series of speeches which then migrated over to the convention hall where John Key was delivering his speech outlining National's latest attacks on workers and the poor.  A critical mass quickly overpowered police and security and a few dozen protestors made it into the convention centre making considerable noise, much to the bewilderment of rich hotel guests in the lobby.  As the police regrouped, the protest then shifted outside where scuffles continued as militant workers and activists jockeyed for position.  The demonstration ended with no arrests being made, but by the end of the day the police had bolstered their numbers considerably, clearly caught unprepared by the militancy of the protest.

A written account of the Christchurch action concludes;

"At 10am on Sunday 18th July, The Cathedral Square in Christchurch hosted a sizeable crowd of union organisers and delegates, community groups and activists after hearing the call made by Unite Christchurch to make our voices heard!  Speeches were made and chants sung. The anger and resentment caused by the recent announcements was evident...This is just the beginning... 

With less than 24 hours we had over 80 people standing as one, the decision was spontaneously made to have a follow up meeting tomorrow!"

In Dunedin the day before;

"At midday today a crowd of about 40 folks gathered in the Octagon to protest against the proposed attacks on workplace rights. These have been floated by John Key at an Employer's Association meeting, and include extending the 90 day fire-at-will legislation to all businesses, restricting union access to worksites, and removing paid delegate training. It was pointed out at the demo that this will be really bad for unions, like Unite, that are trying to enter un-unionised worksites.

The demo was organised by the International Socialists and Unite Union and was attended by a representatives from most unions, and many others from the community."

Future organising;

Protests will continue, with another in Wellington tomorrow.  Meetings have been planned nationally to coordinate resistance to these policies.

Wellington- Monday July 19th at 5:30 , 57 Willis street

Auckland-  Go to gpjanz.wordpress.com and subscribe to the newsletter or go to http://www.unite.org.nz/?q=node/611 to join the living wage campaign.

Also, see Socialist Aotearoa and their latest newsletter anticapitalist

Christchurch-   Workers Educational Association (WEA), 59 Gloucester Street (opposite the City Art Gallery).  6.30pm onwards.

Dunedin- TBD

More photos of action here