Grid of posts 2×3

  • Solidarity to support the locked out workers at Synovate

    In solidarity with Auckland, Unite union Wellington members, volunteers and supporters will picket the Ministry of Social Development, who contract out their call centres to Synovate. Synovate have illegally locked out their workers in negotiations over pay. The picket will take place at noon, Tuesday April 14th. Please support this worthwhile action if you can… Read more

  • Victory: Ali Panah gains refugee status

    Rebecca Broad The Spark April 2009 Iranian asylum seeker Ali Panah won refugee status in February 2009, after a protracted and public struggle, which began in mid 2007. Panah was part of a larger group of Iranian immigrants who came to New Zealand as either refugees or asylum seekers, who were denied residency, and locked… Read more

  • Sealord works the system

    Don Franks The Spark April 2009 On its website, fishing company Sealord boasts of its responsible environmental practice:  “We are committed to harvesting the seas[sic] resources in a sustainable way and this is one of the key points of our company environmental policy. We have secure access to about 19 percent of New Zealand’s quota… Read more

  • Shorter work-hours: They say less pay, we say more pay

    Jared Phillips The Spark April 2009 Resulting from the Job Summit in February, the government has now announced the introduction of the Job Support Scheme. At the time of writing, between 20-30 companies have taken up the government’s offer. Who benefits from the 9-day working fortnight? In the past socialists have successfully fought for a… Read more

  • MIGRANT WORKERS, THE ECONOMIC CRISIS AND THE UNIONS

    Public Meeting: 7.30pm, Tuesday, April 7, Trades Hall. 147, Great North Rd, Grey Lynn AUCKLAND Recently there have been decisions by companies to make NZ workers redundant while continuing to employ migrant workers on temporary visas. There have been calls by both the Labour Party, National and some unionists for these migrant workers to be laid… Read more

  • “We won’t pay for their crisis!”

    Mike Kay In Europe, the capitalist crisis has hit the working class much harder than it has so far in New Zealand. But in many countries, the victims are fighting back. A single slogan has found universal appeal – “We won’t pay for their crisis!” Here follows a brief survey of some of the highlights… Read more