New Zealand bus drivers walk out over low pay, safety

Vol. 82/No. 34 - September 17, 2018
Bus drivers, members of FIRST Union, carried out one-day strike against Go Bus. They picketed transport center in Hamilton, New Zealand, Aug. 14, demanding equal pay for same work.

HAMILTON, New Zealand — Sixty bus drivers, members of FIRST Union, picketed the central city transport center here Aug. 14 as part of a daylong strike against Go Bus. The workers are demanding 20 New Zealand dollars and 55 cents…


Teachers in New Zealand strike over pay, conditions

Vol. 82/No. 33 - September 3, 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — A 24-hour strike by almost 30,000 teachers Aug. 15 closed most of this country’s primary and intermediate schools. The teachers’ union, the New Zealand Educational Institute, is in contract negotiations with the government over pay and…


New Zealand nurses strike for increased pay, staffing

Vol. 82/No. 29 - August 6, 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — “When nurses’ rights are under attack, stand up, fight back!” several thousand nurses, other health care workers and supporters chanted as they marched through the central city here July 12. The demonstration was one of many…


New Zealand retail store workers fight bosses’ attacks

Vol. 82/No. 27 - July 23, 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Hundreds of Farmers department store workers across New Zealand, members of the First Union, went on strike for up to five hours July 5 to press demands for better wages and conditions. “‘Performance pay’ is the…


Auckland protest demands protection of Maori land

Vol. 82/No. 25 - July 9, 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Over 300 people demonstrated here May 26 protesting moves by Fletcher Building, the country’s largest construction company, to begin building 480 houses for sale on historic Maori land at Ihumatao. “They are trying to steal our…


New Zealand nurses protest low pay, understaffing

Vol. 82/No. 22 - June 4, 2018
Nurses, hospital workers rally in Auckland, New Zealand, May 12, part of nationwide day of protests against low pay, understaffing, worsening conditions for both workers and patients.

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — More than 700 nurses, other hospital workers and supporters marched here May 12 to protest low pay, understaffing and deteriorating conditions in public health care. “We need more on the floor,” read one hand-written placard, highlighting…


School workers in New Zealand rally for equal pay for women

Vol. 82/No. 20 - May 21, 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — More than 200 early childhood teachers, school support workers, teacher aides, school administrators and their families and supporters joined a “Fair’s Fair” rally here May 5 for equal pay for women. The action, part of protests…


New Zealand nurses reject contract, protest work conditions

Vol. 82/No. 19 - May 14, 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Hundreds of nurses and other health care workers joined protests outside hospitals and clinics across New Zealand over two weeks starting April 9. They are demanding increased staffing, higher wages and an end to onerous working…


New Zealand bus drivers walk out over pay, work schedules

Vol. 82/No. 18 - May 7, 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — “I worked 69 hours last week. Some worked more,” bus driver Elizabeth Kaulima told the Militant on a picket line here outside Pavlovich Coachlines April 19. “We’re working long hours to try and make ends meet.…