Unionists grip downtown Invercargill

Worker dissatisfaction has hit new highs as bargaining falters for an unprecedented number of collective contracts, a long-time Invercargill unionist says.

Service and Food Workers Union organiser Barbara Anderson was among about 120 chanting and placard-waving  workers protesting wage freezes and stalled contract talks in Invercargill this afternoon.

Southland Times journalists strike

Southland Times journalists are on strike to protest stalled collective contract talks. (story updated here)

Sources say the Times’ editorial floor is this morning staffed by non-unionised managers, a junior reporter and an intern.