'It's unfair': Workers protest $1-an-hour pay rise – Te Ao Māori News

Several employees of Jaychem, a manufacturer of personal and pet products, gathered Tuesday morning outside the company’s office in East Tāmaki to strike over wage demands.

“Twenty to 30 years and still making minimum wage,” First Union organizer Numia Ra’ea said of the reasons for the strike.

But Jaychem’s Paul Jancys rejected the claim, saying “none of our employees earn minimum wage after 20 years.”

Gail Subritzky from Ngāpuhi has more than 30 years of total experience in the business and said she received a base hourly rate of $23.30. 15 cents more than minimum wage.

She also receives an additional service bonus of $3.46 per hour for working at the company for twenty consecutive years.

“It’s unfair. We do a lot of work there and we don’t get paid for what we do,” Subritzky said.

Subritzky was among a few dozen protesters who were outraged by New Zealand’s recent corporate wage review and the offer of an extra dollar an hour.

“Currently, we have members who carpool to work to reduce costs,” Ra’ea said.

“They buy bread and spread it out over a fortnight because they can’t afford anything more.”

Founded in 1979, Jaychem manufactures personal and animal health products, with most of its products serving hospitals, pharmacies, homes, veterinary clinics and farms throughout New Zealand and global markets.

“Jaychem negotiates with our union every year and provides wage increases above the rate of inflation, with the current offer also above the CPI.

“We respect the union’s right to strike and we intend to resolve this issue as quickly as possible,” Jancys said.

Jaychem workers will continue their strike until Thursday, May 9.