People stand to show their support for the Resene workers' campaign. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens
It was a full house in St Bernadette's School hall last night as the Naenae community turned out in force to show its support for Resene workers calling for a living wage.
The workers at the paint company's Hutt Valley manufacturing plants say they're struggling to pay the bills and some are working overtime just to make ends meet.
Applause rang out and the room stood to show their solidarity with workers at Resene who have launched a campaign calling for the Living Wage at their workplace.
The Wellington-based paint company is one of the larger employers in Lower Hutt.
Across its Naenae and Upper Hutt manufacturing facilities, it employs more than 200 staff, many of whom are paid below the living wage.
A man who has worked at Resene for four years stood up at the meeting to share his experience.
He said no matter how much he tried to save, after the bills were paid he barely had enough for groceries, let alone anything else.
"One of the worst feelings I've experienced was not being able to afford a birthday gift for my own son," the man said.
He said his limited income forced him to choose between doing something special for a loved one or ensuring their survival.
Margret Jackson has been at Resene for 11 years and is a supervisor.
She said making ends meet could be a challenge, especially when there was an unexpected bill.
Recently when her car had to be fixed, she was left wondering how she was going to pay for it.
"Nine hundred dollars later, with the help of Afterpay, skipping bill payments and the little money I had saved towards my flights back home to Niue for my nana's unveiling in October, and here I am, back to square one."
From left: Campbell Barry, Lui Bethan, Margret Jackson, Derek Saumolia and Alison Robinson at the meeting. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens
Lui Betham has worked at Resene for 13 years and will do overtime to help make ends meet.
"I earn about $1700 a fortnight after tax. My rent is $1200 a fortnight, and then I have the bills... power, internet, anything you can put your name on."
For him a living wage would mean less financial stress and less overtime.
An empty chair represents the no-show of any of the company's management. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens
Company representative a no-show
Event organisers invited Resene managing director Nick Nightingale or another Resene representative to attend the event.
But the chair sat conspicuously empty at the front of the room.
MC and Team Naenae Trust chair Lillian Pak said it was a disappointing outcome.
"This is really disappointing because as a community, we are the ones that give Resene a social licence, and it's the workers here today who enable Resene to operate, allowing Nick Nightingale and the other shareholders to make millions."
Nightingale also declined to comment to RNZ.
Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry addresses the meeting. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens
Lower Hutt City Council has declared itself a 'living wage city' and mayor Campbell Barry was keen to see more employers take up that baton.
Barry told the crowd he had contacted Nightingale to advise him he would be supporting the event.
"He basically said to me, to his knowledge, no other industry members, including Dulux or others, are a part of the living wage movement, and certainly here in Lower Hutt, there doesn't seem to be particularly other industry groups or businesses who are accredited living wage employees as well.
"I thought that was pretty disappointing to hear."
Barry said that while the decision to be a living wage employer or not was a decision for Resene, he hoped they'd listen to what their workers have to say.
