Dubbed the 'world's first' industrial action of the year, employees demand same conditions as Auckland counterparts
Workers of SkyCity Hamilton welcomed 2022 with a strike against the company as they demanded living wages and equal pay like their counterparts in Auckland. The workers are part of the Unite Union, which dubbed the strike as the "world's first" for 2022. They are hospo workers "tired of low pay and miniscule differentials for skills and service," the union said on a Facebook post.
Joe Carolan, Unite organiser, slammed SkyCity in a statement and pointed out how its workers in Hamilton are paid less than those in Auckland.
"SkyCity is one of the wealthiest companies in Aotearoa today, yet pays its workers in Hamilton less than its Auckland crew. We believe, like most people, in equal pay for equal work, and the costs to SkyCity are not astronomical to achieve this pay justice," he said.
He also pointed out the exasperation of hospo workers who are "no longer willing to work long hours without living wages."
According to Carolan, SkyCity workers are suffering from missing breaks and other entitlements due to "endemic staff shortages in the sector." They are also put under serious pressure for minimum pay.
"Unite hopes to unionise and lead strikes across this sector in 2022 — we believe it’s time for a fair pay agreement," Carolan said.
Read more: Strike action against KiwiRail lifted after 'difficult negotiation'
SkyCity's response
In a statement, SkyCity said it is "disappointed" that the union went on strike without mediation. It added that it remains steadfast in finding a common ground between both parties.
"SkyCity is disappointed Unite chose to strike before going to mediation as agreed to by both parties at the start of the bargaining process. However, SkyCity is committed to finding a resolution and has sought a mediation session with Unite early in the new year," a spokesperson from the company said as quoted by Radio New Zealand.
According to the report from Radio New Zealand, Unite workers in Hamilton were the only ones to not reach an agreement with the company.
Unite and E tū union members for its Auckland casino, as well as E tū members in Hamilton found a deal with SkyCity.
