AUCKLAND, New Zealand—Chanting “$12.94—we’re worth more!” some 250 state school support workers, including teacher aides, librarians, administrators, and others marched through South Auckland August 7.

The protest was part of nationwide actions by the workers’ union, the 13,000-member New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa, to protest the government’s refusal to agree to any wage increase. Workers say that many earn just above the minimum wage of NZ$12.50 per hour, about US$8.33.

The protest ended in a rally to present Associate Education Minister Pita Sharples messages of support for the union’s demands from school communities. Protest organizer Jane Marti told the crowd, “We do not want the government to use this recession as an excuse not to give us a fair deal.” More information can be found at fairdeal.org.nz.

—FELICITY COGGAN