The CTU continues to support a minimum wage set at two-thirds of the average wage.

The Council of Trade Unions has put forward a plan to reduce the 27.6 percent real wage gap with Australia.

“People doing contract work for less than the minimum wage deserve the full wage protections afforded to other workers," Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont said tonight.

“A 70 per cent increase in the minimum wage since 1999 helps build momentum to make low wages history,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today, in response to media reports this morning that Cabinet have agreed to increase the minimum wage from $11.25 to $12 an hour.

The CTU today called for an increase in the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour.  The policy position was announced at the launch of the CTU political strategy in Wellington this morning.

“Union organising in fast food has made a huge difference in lifting the low wages of thousands of young workers,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.

“Last night’s youth rates vote is a huge step forward for thousands of young workers who when this change is implemented will receive a big increase in pay and a recognition that the work they are doing is being properly paid,” CTU president Ross Wilson said today.

The CTU is calling on politicians to keep an open mind on strengthening the youth minimum wage for 16 and 17 year olds as it progresses through the House.

“Young workers face discrimination in the workplace, purely because of their age, and there is broad public support for the abolition of youth rates,” CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said. 

“Parliament is certainly attempting to move forward on abolishing youth rates but the proposal on the table has problems,” Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont said today, following the release of the select committee report on the Minimum Wage (Abolition of Age Discrimination) Amendment Bill late yesterday.

"Unions will continue to put the heat on companies who stubbornly pay rates at around the minimum wage level and who are responsible for our low wage crisis," CTU secretary Carol Beaumont said today.