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Notice to all Workers

Some weeks ago, a Rarotongan worker who had been brought to Auckland on contract by W. Sutherland & Co. decided to change his job for one with better pay and conditions. This is every worker's right, but the manager came to his new job, accompanied by the police and forced the worker to return to Sutherland's, threatening him with deportation from New Zealand if he did not come.

The worker returned, but a complaint was made to the Tanners' Union, and upon investigation it was shown that the company had no right to act in the way it did. It was further revealed that there ware fifteen other workers at Sutherland's in the same position, and that the company had illegally been making deductions from their wages to recover their fares from the Cook Islands.

Union action forced the company to back down, and all the workers had their money refunded and their contracts cancelled.

However, many other workers from the Pacific Islands may be in a similar situation. A worker must have a copy of any contract, and if you are in any doubt about your rights, or if you are being intimidated, underpaid, or cheated in any way, you should seek advice from your trade union or from the Citizens' Association for Racial Equality (Care), P. O. Box 2794, Auckland (phone 371-507).

It is important that you contact your union or Care, for it is only through joint action that we can stop this kind of exploitation. If you think someone else on your job may be affected, show him or her this notice.

Workers need not fear deportation or other punishment if they tell their union or Care, because workers acting together will give them protection. This has been shown by action concerning Tongan workers and immigration and in the recent case at Sutherland's.

If in any doubt, contact your union or Care, and ask for advice.