Rainbows End was a key anecdote used as part of their campaign. Gruelling negotiations over a 3 - 5 month period to raise youth rates to be closer or as equal to adult rates lead to a successful win for staff and became a key example for the campaign and the country.
During my time working there i saw the benefits. Being a Cleaner in "New Zealand's Premiere Theme Park" this seemed like a huge step forward, simply because the standard $8.50 pay rate was simply enough for most of us who had parents telling us we had to start paying our own way through life with transport prices going up and commodities with most of us also helping with pay the monthly bills our parent's could not sustain alone.
For most of us it was degrading working longer hours than older staff and getting paid less. New Zealand's award winning Polynesian Band "Nesian Mystik" even threw in their support also and performed at the end of the Protest Rallies. A colleague of mine, Melanie Cawte was invited to speak at the end of the Auckland Protest Rally. She spoke of the "new entrant rate" which entitles 16-17yr olds who has worked atleast 200 hours or a minimum of 3months to be eligible for adult rates and how successful it can be. The New Zealand government considered this and passed it in the youth rates.
So if we abolish youth rates and leave all on a minimum wage, wont that mean that employers will have to increase the prices of their merchandise to afford the new costs?
ReplyDeleteIt can, what im trying to explain here is that youth aren't being paid enough due to their age. i don't think that rising the minimum wage for all youth to be equal is fair but instead, having the option and for youth to be able to work up to it.
ReplyDeleteHi Matt,
ReplyDeleteIt's Olivia, here again.
Can you explain a little about what youth rates are?
I think you need to focus on your issue, and 'why' you take your position backed up with evidence. A lot of your writing is about 'what' has occurred in the past through your own personal experience, which is wonderful, however, I don't think we are allowed to refer to ourselves as examples. Background information needs to be kept short. Would be better to keep your info current.
I believe it was a good move that youth rates were changed for 16-17 year olds, but 15 year olds should be included - why should someone a year younger be paid less? I also think that since youth rates were increased to the minimum wage you say, this would make some adults, feel hard done by, because 'kids' are earning the same wages as them. This is off topic a little, but I think the minimum wage for adults should be raised to about $15-$18.
I don't agree with TCJ's argument about how costs have to be raised due to the higher wages being paid - this is a cop out! And an absurd excuse for employers, when they already charge enough for their tickets and merchandise etc, to cover paying minimum wages. The cost of living has increased substantially and wages should be in line with this.
The cost of living has increased substantially and wages should be in line with this. Why should the young have to be paid such low wages? They are the future of this country, who will be paying off NZ's debt and for older people's pensions.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteI am a little confused. Did your experience working at rainbow’s end lead you to support equal pay or support youth rates? And why?
Thanks,