100 years of International Women’s Day

Today, 8 March 2011, is the centenary of the first celebrations of International Women’s Day. The theme for this year is ‘equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women’.

Wellington Pay Equity Challenge Coalition, union activists and working women are gathering at lunchtime today to recognise International Working Women’s Day.

This will be a gathering of friends and colleagues, a sharing of lunch, an expression of solidarity with working women all over the world and a tribute to working sisters in Christchurch.

The formal part of the ceremony will be at the Sonja Davies memorial tree at 1230 pm. This tree is just inside the grounds of parliament (Lambton Quay entrance). Before and afterwards they will share company and food together. Bring a cushion or rug and your lunch.

The Pay Equity Challenge Coalition will launch the pay equity pledge at this event – 100 New Zealand women leaders who have pledged to pay equity.

University of Auckland academics campaign to retain conditions

Academics at the University of Auckland have been busy campaigning to protect ‘quality of education’ conditions in their collective agreement. You can see photos of their rally outside the Distinguished Alumni dinner, read yesterday’s NZ Herald story, listen to Jane Kelsey on National Radio and leave a message of support at their savourconditions.org website.

Facts about welfare in New Zealand – Christchurch City Mission

One can hardly expect to improve welfare simply by reducing it. Having people work instead of just accept money is an excellent idea; it won’t succeed, however, unless there are jobs for them to work at. The Christchurch Methodist Mission welcomes a debate on welfare in New Zealand, but such a debate should focus on facts. Read their full leaflet – Facts about welfare in New Zealand – Christchurch City Mission.

Also check out the CTU’s media release, Gordon Campbell’s article on Scoop and Tapu Misa’s article for the NZ Herald.