1. Is decent work reliant on decent employers? Julie Douglas, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Candice Harris, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

2. Background

3. New Zealand Participant in the ILO Decent Work Agenda 2008 election of neo liberal government coincided with GFC DW agenda never about wages and decent work Now - attacks again on collective processes and the jurisdiction of unions Low level of union density across particularly the private sector Minimum wage $14.75 Living wage $19.25 Poverty Working poor House earnings Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand Non political its greatest strength

6. The Project

7. We set out to; Identify the level of good debate generated in the print media Determine the level of awareness of the living wage concept by businesses in traditionally low paid sectors Identify the drivers or barriers these firms perceive as influencing the possibility of using the living wage as a remuneration approach

8. Research approach Theoretical basis – stakeholder approach Using Van Buren and Greenwood’s argument why this should be used also in industrial relations research Low paid vulnerable workers are legitimate stakeholders who are silenced through position Often dependent employees, they rely on a more paternalistic approach from management to look out for their interests How are these workers and their interests being represented and gaining voice? Research method Media scan – Jan 2013 – Dec 2014. 107 items in major daily papers Interviews – 10 organisations(so far) Food manufacturingGeneral manufacturing HospitalityServices

9. Findings

10. Support LWAgainst LWNeutralTotal News articles 23 (49%)15 (32%)9 (19%)47 (100%) Press releases 41 (68%)15 (25%)4 (7%)60 (100%) Total64 (60%)30 (28%)13 (12%)107 (100%) Media Media results Table 1: Review of media items on the living wage in major daily newspapers (2013-2014)

11. Interviews with owners/HR managers Extremely difficult to get participants Not surprising maybe Food manufacturing sector (5) A competitive and low paid sector 2 of the organisations had become accredited Living Wage employers One firm already paid over the LW level, a pragmatic decision to ensure industrial peace. In a niche where only supplier in New Zealand. A large beverage manufacturer is in the process of developing a strategy around the LW. They were inspired by the Warehouse story. They want to be an employer of choice. Very people focused org. 2 in this sector very clear that based on economics this was not realistic. Very little inclusion of other factors in discussion

12. Hotel industry (2) 1 org clear that from an economic perspective a LW was not possible The other was a community trust run hotel with a long established commitment to financial contributions to the local community This hotel was actively looking at adopting a wage strategy to raise lowest paid to LW level. Strong value statements about employees

13. One organisation in General Manufacturing Pay less than the LW but have a system of incentives which top this up close to it. Not interested in LW in itself. Clear that need to look after their workforce. In an internationally competitive industry but argue their quality gains them advantage One large hairdressing chain Employs around 215 staff including senior staff and apprentices Have chosen not to pay apprentice rates and pay minimum wage to them Once qualified pay usually over LW due to added commissions

14. None of the participants (except accredited employers) had any union involvement at their workplaces Those not working around LW expressed economic reasons Those paying or working towards paying LW cited clear ethical and moral reasons for this How they would want to be treated Valuing contribution Religious beliefs around compassion and sharing Social justice aspect of wealth distribution and contribution The decent thing to do Value base driving the choices of employers Not just right thing to do but also Good for business

15. ‘Yeah, we were. I mean, we’re National supporters but we think employees need to be paid enough to be able to live. We’d rather employees were paid enough, paid less tax and didn’t have to get living support and other stuff like that. They should be able to earn enough. If they worked at least 40 hours a week and work hard, they should be able to earn enough not to need support from the government.’ Simon

16. Discussion

17. Decent work is a decreasing priority of current government Can a minimum wage really be seen as providing decent conditions when so far below the living wage Pockets of employers affected by the message driven by LW campaign have made different choices The media has not provided an outlet for robust in depth discussion Not all will become accredited employers as not necessarily supportive of unions No evidence of employee voice in any of the cases looked at – all employer driven Vulnerable workers in low paid non unionised workplaces are increasingly being commodified and they can only rely on the paternalistic nature of employers to act in their best interests

18. We need strong public debate on the issues of social justice and of labour commodification as too easily the underlying issue of workers and fair pay is lost and all that remains is neo classical economic rhetoric How do these workers regain a legitimate voice in these industries? Is decent work and decent wages once again becoming reliant on the good will and favour of decent employers?