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Workers from Ashburton’s Rosebank Rest Home & Hospital, members of the New Zealand Nurse Organisation (NZNO), along with supporters from other unions and social justice organisations picketing the offices of Stuart Leck the owner of Rosebank in Christchurch CBD over the lunch hour today. This local picket follow on from pickets outside Rosebank in Ashburton.Leck, who owns Rosebank Residential Home Limited through Lexson Investment Limited, has offered the workers a zero pay increase during negotiations for a collective agreement. The NZNO commenced bargaining in May last year.
NZNO Organiser, Steve Howard describes the employer’s behaviour as outrageous. “Simply put an offer of a zero pay increase means that these already very low paid workers would not have a pay rise for two years,” Howard said.
The 30 odd picketers distributed explanatory flyers and pink roses to passersby discussing the issue with interested members of the public, and occasionally burst into song. Accompanied by the sound of wooden spoons on plastic buckets, the favourite chorus of the specially written poem rang out along the street. “Stuart Leck who owns the place, He is too ashamed to show his face.”
The picketers were supported by members of other unions (PSA, SFWU, NDU) WRC activists and several members of the public who stopped to lend a hand.
Poem for Rosebank
What makes us moan, its Rosebank home
Profits first & workers last, we’re here today to have a blast
Granny says “shame on you,
Mr Leck who’ll care for you?”
Stuart Leck who owns the place
He is too ashamed to show his face.
He’s stinging Granny for more dough
While keeping workers wages low
The government gave you 3%
But workers haven’t seen a cent!
They’ve had no extra fo 2 long years
What have you got between your ears
Stuart Leck show your face
You’re a disgrace to the human race.
More Information
> Copy of NZNO statement
> Working in a Rest Home – RNZ Interview
