MP for Mana Kris Faafoi this week joined care-workers from the Eldon Lodge Rest home in Kāpiti as they took strike action over pay negotiations with their employer Oceania.
“These carers are doing a sterling job looking after the elderly in our community and many are doing it on or close to the minimum wage. It’s time their employers were fair to those who care,” Kris Faafoi said.
“We had a great response from motorists and locals as they passed our picket line; there is real support for these local rest home carers in the community.
“Aged care issues are very important to the Kāpiti community and it is sad to see that the care-workers have to take strike action in an effort to get a fair and decent living wage.
“The work these people do, the physical nature of it, the empathy they have to show and the patience they have means they deserve to be listened to in their wage negotiations.
“They, like all Kiwis, are finding things tough as prices rise faster than wages.
“It’s time to be fair to those who care. Our local rest home workers deserve the reasonable pay increase they are asking for.”
