Media advisory : from Council of Trade Unions
Equal Pay Week of Action: It’s time to pay the sisters the same as the misters
Kiwis care about fairness. Ensuring that women are paid fairly and equally will be a key election issue. A week of action, Saturday 12 – Saturday 19 August, focused on the issues of equal pay will see events happening all around the country.
2017 has been a big year for equal pay with the huge success of the care and support settlement which saw union member Kristine Bartlett’s win equal pay on behalf of over 55,000 working women.
Most of the events planned will be celebratory; colourful, with music and dance. However they will also be future orientated. “The road to achieving equal pay for all continues to have potholes in it,” CTU President Richard Wagstaff said. “The National Government seems determined to pursue a new law which will make achieving equal pay much more difficult. We will ensure that working woman and all those that support fairness and equality have their voices heard.”
For more information about what’s happening locally please refer to the table below – including local media contacts
| Where | When | What | Media contact |
| Whangarei Toyota site Carruth Street (Opposite Pak’n’Save) |
Saturday 12 August10am for 10.30am start | Flash mob dancing to ‘She Works Hard for the Money’ Wear red! |
Liz Boutet 021 416 541 |
| Auckland Gather at Takutai Sq behind Britomart – march up Queen St to rally at the Suffrage Memorial Te ha o Hine Place off Lorne St |
Saturday 12 August 11am – 12.30pm |
March and rally MC – Michelle A’Court Speakers -Jacinda Ardern (Labour), Jo Goodhew (National), Jan Logie (Greens), Tracey Martin (NZ First) and Cinnamon Whitlock (Maori Party) | Carol Beaumont 027 275 7374 |
| Hamilton Methodist Centre, 62 London St, Hamilton |
Wednesday 16 August 4:30pm -6pm |
Drinks & nibbles with Jackie Blue [EEO Blue. Commissioner]; Prof Margaret Wilson [UoW]; and Carol Webb [school support worker] | Huia Welton021 524 502 |
| Palmerston North Meeting at the Te Awe Awe quadrant of The Square and marching to George Street |
Saturday 12 August 11am-12pm |
March with flash mob dancing to She Works Hard for the Money at start and finish. Dance led by Public Service Association Youth (PSAY) | Lisa Wilde 027 475 1884 |
| Wellington Cuba St stage – near bucket fountain |
Saturday 12 August 1pm |
Rally & dancing Confirmed speakers –Kristine Bartlett, Vanisa Dhiru (Vice President National Council of Women), Suzanne Snively (Former Wellingtonian of the Year) & Richard Wagstaff (CTU President)Wear purple! | Angela McLeod 027 497 2761 |
| Nelson Pomeroy’s Cafés –Pomeroys Coffee and Tea Co Crema coffee cart (Church Steps) Pomeroys City Store (Montgomery Square) The Coffee Factory (16 Elms Street, Stoke) |
Monday 14 –Friday 18 August | Men pay $0.50 more per coffee.Action supported by the Breeze Nelson | Pip Jamieson 027 247 2450 |
| Christchurch Cathedral Square |
Sat 19 Aug 10.30am for 11am start | Speakers Ruth Dyson, (Labour); Jan Logie, (Greens); Liz Gordon, (Pillars Children’s Charity) and Nancy McShane followed by The Equal Pay Dance. Wear red and black for Canterbury | Nancy McShane 021 0816 2938 |
| Dunedin At the Exchange, corner of Princes and Rattray Street. |
Saturday 19 August 11am-12:30pm |
Tea partyDress theme: a woman who inspires you. | Lucy Gray021 207 3651 |
ENDS