Pressure for immediate $l5 pay rise

Press, 5 October 1984, Page 4

Pressure for immediate $l5 pay rise

PA Auckland The president of the Labour Party, Ms Margaret Wilson, came under heavy pressure yesterday for the Government to grant an immediate wage increase. She was warned that if the Government delayed giving the $l5 increase the Federation of Labour might increase its demand to $2O or $25.

Delegates to the Northern Storeworkers’ Union conference in Auckland demanded to know why the Government was slow to grant the rise.

“Workers deserve more of the pie, not just the crust but some of the meat,” she told them.

However, one delegate

said, “You are paying us lip service, not money. We have had nothing for four years and all we are asking for is $15.”

Another said, “I am an honest working man and take home $161.47 to feed my wife and three children. I want to build a home and be able to bank $5O, not $5, a week.”

The union’s organiser, Mr Peter Willis, said, “This union spent $lO,OOO in the election campaign to get Labour elected because we believed they would deliver. If they don’t, the employers will have to pay.” The union’s secretary, Mr Michael Jackson, said, "Our members are hurting and if they have to wait too long the $l5 might be increased to $2O or $25.”