Union flags filled Union Hall last Friday (lol), as around 150 workers, students, and organisers gathered to mark May Day (also known as International Workers’ Day). The hui brought together a wide cross-section of unions — from nurses and firefighters to supermarket workers and university staff.
The hui, which was one of many held across Aotearoa to mark May Day, comes amid growing frustration with the coalition Government, which speakers repeatedly described as one of the most “anti-worker” in recent decades. Speakers throughout the event framed the upcoming election as a turning point for workers across Aotearoa.
Much of the anger centred on the Government's rollback of pay equity measures in their current term. TEU national secretary Amy Ross labelled it a “ram raid of pay equity” and “the theft of women’s pay”, drawing hoots and hollers from the crowd. She urged attendees to channel their frustrations into electoral participation: “we will not forget what this coalition government has done.”
Andrew Tait of Unite, Aotearoa’s hospitality union, described the union movement as a legacy handed down through the generations. “Workers make the world turn,” he said. “When workers’ rights are under attack – stand up, fight back.”
Other speakers emphasised the lived realities behind policy decisions. A disability care worker spoke emotionally about the impact of pay equity changes, saying the loss had "broken" her sense of future security. “When my granddaughter enters the workforce, I want her to be paid what she’s worth,” she said.
Holly, a mature masters student and union member, described the hui to Critic Te Ārohi as “uplifting.” For her, the connection between student life and union organising comes down to power. “The University and the government have a lot of power over students [...] but we far outnumber our employers,” she said. “Unionising is a way of taking some power back.”
Holly and Andrew pointed specifically to the vulnerability of student workers, who are often unsure of their rights. While union fees can feel like an added cost, Holly says the benefits are clear — her union recently secured a 3.5% pay increase, backdates, plus a bonus for members.
For students interested in getting involved, unions encourage workers to ask their employer which union covers their workplace – which employers are legally required to provide. That info is also available through the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions, which lists affiliated unions and how to join. Many unions offer discounted rates for students and part-time workers, but even just knowing your rights as an employee is a great first step!
