Industrial Workers of the World

Aussie unionists block traffic to support Zeal workers

Australian transport unions blocked the busy intersection outside Air New Zealand's Brisbane HQ on 3rd June in solidarity with the Zeal 320 crew. The solidarity protest by the Transport Workers Union, Maritime Union of Australia and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union came against the backdrop of the triennial Australian Council of Trade Unions congress and shows anger over Air New Zealand's behaviour toward workers in its subsidiary is spreading across the Tasman.

VIDEOS Check out the "Air New Zealand Shame On You" chants & footage here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S1Oi1r0l3Q

Zeal crew member and EPMU delegate Kirsty Barrett-Hamilton addresses the Australian solidarity protest. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUF7sKeLwHU&feature=related

PHOTOGRAPHS: http://www.flickr.com/photos/epmu/sets/72157619215305246/detail/ There's more, including speeches, at www.epmu.org.nz/youtube

License public domainThis work is in the public domain.

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Thursday 11th June 09 marks the launch of Unite’s Campaign for a Living Wage - to get an immediate rise in the minimum wage to $15 an hour, and then to set it at 2/3rds of the average wage.

When:11 June 2009 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Where:Mt. Albert War Memorial Hall 751 New North Road, Mt Albert Auckland, New Zealand

www.unite.org.nz

campaign@unite.org.nz

450,000 people are paid less than $15 an hour. 100,000 workers are on the minimum wage of $12.50. That’s not enough to live on. We’re standing up against poverty wages and we’re going to need you. It’s time to put workers first.