Employers contradict themselves on low wages

"In the lead up to the General Election employers, politicians and unions all acknowledged that New Zealand's wages are too low," said Council of Trade Unions president, Ross Wilson. "Why then are employers now quibbling over workers demands for a 5% wage rise?""Given that our wages are 25% behind Australia's a 5% wage rise would seem to be extremely moderate."

"A survey of employers before the Election showed that they are primarily concerned about shortages of skilled workers. Further embedding low pay into the economy will not keep skilled workers in the country."

"We support the workers at Carter Holt Harvey who have been offered a miserable 2% and those at Southward Engineering, who have been suspended since September 9. We also want to see a fair resolution of the disputes at the Otago Daily Times, Menzies Aviation, Mt Cook Airlines and Fairfax newspapers Hutt News and Upper Hutt Leader," Ross Wilson concluded.