The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is backing the thousands of public sector workers striking for fair pay and safe services this Thursday, 23 October.
MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay says the fight for a properly funded public sector is a fight for all working New Zealanders.
“Our members work on the 99% of New Zealand’s goods that move through our ports, but we know New Zealand also relies on the nurses, healthcare workers, teachers, and school support staff who are being forced to walk off the job to be heard,” says Mr. Findlay.
Mr. Findlay says the Government’s attempts to paint striking workers as “politically motivated” are a cynical distraction from its own failures.
“This action is about skilled workers who can’t afford their rent. It’s about nurses burning out in unsafe, understaffed hospitals. These workers are not taking action lightly, they are being driven to it by a Government that prefers to spread misinformation rather than bargain in good faith.”
The Maritime Union says it’s time for workers to fight back, and remind the Government that the wealth of New Zealand is produced by workers, who deserve good pay, good conditions and good standards in their jobs.
“We hear the same tired excuses in our industry that investment in people and safety is a cost rather than the backbone of a productive economy,” says Mr. Findlay.
“This is a matter of political priorities. This Government can find money for senior managers, consultants and tax cuts that benefit a privileged few, but claims the cupboard is bare for the people who look after our sick and educate our children.”
Mr Findlay says maritime workers stand in full solidarity with every public sector worker on the picket line tomorrow.
“Their fight is our fight. An injury to one is an injury to all.”
Strike events
WEATHER UPDATE: All strikes are still going ahead, but some rallies are cancelled or have moved venues because of strong weather warnings.
If you’re a striking member and your local rally is cancelled, you should still undertake your strike action.
| City |
Time |
Location |
| Kaitaia |
10.30am-12pm |
10.30am – Assemble at Te Ahu cnr SH 1 & Mathews
11am – March to old Pak n Save carpark
11.30am – Rally
12pm – Finish |
| Whang?rei |
11.30am-1pm |
11.30am – Assemble Laurie Hall Park carpark
12pm – March to Town Basin
12.30pm – Rally at grassed area by Rayburn House Lane
1pm – Finish
|
| Auckland |
12–2pm |
12pm – Assemble in Aotea Square
1pm – March down Queen St
1.45pm – Closing at Komititanga Square
This event has NZSL interpreters
|
| West Auckland |
7.30–9.30am |
Corner of Lincoln Road and Universal Road. |
| Thames |
11am-1pm |
11am – Wh?nau friendly event in Porrit Park
11.30am – Formalities
12pm – Form a human wall along the Queen St side of the park, followed by a h?koi to Scott Simpson’s office |
| Hamilton |
11.30am‑1.30pm |
11.30am – Meet at Band Rotunda, Victoria Street
11.45am – March to Garden Place
12.30pm – Speeches at Garden Place
1.30pm – Finish
This event has NZSL interpreters
|
| Taup? |
10.30am-1pm |
10.30am – Gather on Taup? Primary School back field opposite Taup? medical centre
11.25am – Karakia Timatanga
11.30am – H?koi
12.15pm – Rally at the I Love Taup? sign
12.30pm – Speeches
12.50pm – Karakia Whakamutunga |
| T?rangi |
11am-1pm |
Gather at T?rangi Bridge |
| Taumarunui |
11.30am |
Picket at at Hakiaha Street, outside the Main Street playground (Taumarunui public toilets) |
| Tokoroa |
11am-1pm |
11:00am – Skate Park (corner of O’Sullivan Drive and Roslin Street) |
| Tauranga |
11am‑1.30pm |
11am – Meet at Memorial Park
11.30am – Speeches then sign waving
This event has NZSL interpreters |
| Te K?iti |
11am |
Outside The Warehouse, 31 Rora Street |
| Whakat?ne |
11am-3pm |
11.30am – Gather at Council Buildings, Commerce St. Hikoi along The Strand to Wharaurangi for rally and speeches |
| Rotorua |
11am‑1.30pm |
11am – Various meeting points then travel to Village Green
11.30am – Arrive at Village Green
12pm – Speeches, sign waving, kai etc
This event has NZSL interpreters |
| Gisborne |
11am-1pm |
Rally at Heipipi Park then march through town finishing at Kelvin Park. |
| Wairoa |
8.30–9.30am |
Gather at the lighthouse, then travel to Gisborne or Napier to join the larger action. |
| Hawke’s Bay |
11am-1pm |
11am – Gather at Napier Sound Shell
11.30am – Speakers
12.15pm – March down Emerson Street to Clive Square
1pm – Finish |
| New Plymouth |
11am-1pm |
Rally at the Puke Ariki Landing. Street March through the CBD – Ariki Street – Egmont St – Devon St East – Gover St-Gill St – Ariki St and back to the Puke Ariki Landing |
| Palmerston North |
11.15am-1pm |
Meet at Railway Land Reserve, and march down Church Street to the cenotaph for a rally. |
| Whanganui |
11.30am‑1.30pm |
11.30am – Meet at the town bridge and march up Victoria Avenue to Majestic Square
12.30pm – Rally at Majestic Square
1.30pm – Finish |
| Wellington |
12–2pm |
CANCELLED due to weather |
| Levin |
11.15am-1pm |
11.15am – Meet at the Adventure Park (93 Oxford Street, Levin) 11.30am – March through town and back to the Adventure Park 12.30–1pm – Finish |
| Wairarapa |
11am-1pm |
CANCELLED due to weather |
| Nelson |
11.30am‑1.30pm |
11.30am – Meet by Nelson Library.
12pm – March down Trafalgar Street to Cathedral steps
12.30pm – Hui at Cathedral steps with speeches
1.30pm – Hui concludes |
| Takaka/Golden Bay |
7.30am |
Picket outside Golden Bay High, meeting at Village Green |
| Motueka |
7.30–9.30am |
7:30am – Occupy both sides of road by Toad Hall (chants, placards, megaphones)
8:30am – Move to space outside Motueka Museum for more of the same |
| Blenheim |
11am‑2.30pm |
CANCELLED due to weather |
| Greymouth |
11.30am |
NEW VENUE
Westland Recreation Centre |
| Hokitika |
|
NEW VENUE
Hokitika Westland RSA |
| Christchurch |
11.00am‑1.30pm |
CANCELLED due to weather |
| Te Tai o Poutini |
9am‑2.30pm |
NEW VENUE
9am – Hokitika: Changed to Hokitika Westland RSA
11.30am – Greymouth: Changed to Westland Recreation Centre
1.30pm – Westport: Changed to Westport Bridge Club. |
| Mid Canterbury |
11.30am-2pm |
CANCELLED due to weather |
| South Canterbury |
11.30am-2pm |
CANCELLED due to weather |
| Oamaru |
10–11am |
CANCELLED due to weather |
| Alexandra |
11am-1pm |
CANCELLED due to weather |
| Wanaka |
11am-12pm |
CANCELLED due to weather |
| Queenstown |
12–2pm |
NEW VENUE
St Peter’s Church |
| Dunedin |
11.45am‑1.30pm |
NEW VENUE
Edgar Centre (TBC looks hopeful) meet at 11:45am – Rally start will be 12 noon |
| Balclutha |
11am-1pm |
NEW VENUE
Inside Te Pou. |
| Cromwell |
11.30am-1pm |
CANCELLED due to weather |
| Hokonui/Gore |
11am-1pm |
Meet at Eccles St playground for a march to the Trout – Rally at 12 noon |
| Invercargill |
11am‑1.30pm |
NEW VENUE
ILT Stadium Southland |
