SkyCity Casino workers strike for weekend pay rates

SkyCity Casino workers in New Zealand went on strike on Saturday August 31. The workers’ claim is for penalty rates for working nights and weekends when SkyCity makes most of its profits.

‘Back to the Weekend’ is the name of the campaign. It underlines the need for employees to spend more weekends with family and friends.

“No-one disputes that there have to be shifts at weekends and nights. The issue is SkyCity should be encouraging staff who can choose to work those shifts. It should recognize that not all hours are equal,” Unite National secretary Gerard Hehir said in a statement.

SkyCity has rejected appropriate compensation for working nights and weekends.

The casino employs 900 staff. Almost all are members of Unite Union and 97 per cent voted for strike action at a union meeting last week.