CTU Advisory:

What: "Lift the Freeze on Low Pay" demonstrations

When: Friday 27 November, 12.30-1.30pm

Where: Nationwide - see list of venues below

Thousands of protesters will take to the streets in 27 towns and cities from Kaitaia to Invercargill on Friday (Nov 27) demanding the Government lift its unfair wage freeze on low paid public and community sector workers.

Strike action coinciding with the rallies is being taken by workers hit by the pay freeze.

The strikes involve public hospital service workers and community support workers employed by IHC/IDEA Services New Zealand who belong to the Service and Food Workers Union; and South Island hospital administration staff who belong to the Public Service Association.

School support staff who belong to the New Zealand Educational Institute are also joining the rallies in advance of their own 'Fair Deal' day of action in Auckland on Saturday 28 November.

The three unions are taking the collective action in support of a wide range of workers, many of whom are paid only marginally above the statutory minimum wage. They include: school support staff; hospital cleaners, food service staff and orderlies; South Island hospital administration staff; security officers at Parliament and workers supporting the elderly and disabled.

Venues for November 27 'Lift the Freeze' rallies, 12.30pm-1.30pm

Location Venue

Kaitaia Cnr Redan/Commerce St

Whangarei Main mall in the centre of the town - Cameron/James St Cnr

Auckland Methodist Mission Chapel on Queen Street

Thames Outside the Civic Centre on Mary Street

Hamilton Garden Place, Victoria St

Taumarunui Next to library on "One Way Street"

Rotorua Cnr of Arawa St and Ranolf St

Taupo State Highway One - near Council Buildings

Tauranga Gate Pa New World, Cameron Rd

Whakatane The Strand/Commerce St (near roundabout)

Gisborne Cnr of Gladstone Rd/Reads Quay (near the bridge)

Hastings St Johns Hall Southland Rd

New Plymouth If sunny: meet between centre city and Devon St

If wet: St Josephs Church

Hawera Salvation Army Hall Regent St, marching up High St to Chester Burrows office

Whanganui Majestic Square on Victoria Ave

Palmerston North PSA House King Street and then march to Square

Levin Adventure Park Pavilion, Main Highway and then march down main street

Wairarapa Old Folks Hall Cole Street

Wellington Parliament

Nelson Top of Trafalgar Street

Westport Outside Hospital

Greymouth Outside Grey Base Hospital, High Street

Christchurch Victoria Square (march from TUC)

Ashburton Checkerboard Town Centre

Timaru Town Square cnr Strathallan and Strafford Sts

Dunedin Octagon (march from Hospital)

Invercargill Wachner Place, Dee Street