So, it is 2018 and the Living Wage Movement enters its sixth year with so many victories under its belt. The last amazing win of 2017 was the Wellington City Council by-election victory in the Southern Ward. Fleur Fitzsimons made a public commitment to the Living Wage in the campaign and will join so many of her fellow councillors advocating and voting to ensure the capital city is the first accredited Living Wage Employer council in Aotearoa.

This caps off a year in which we welcomed our first corporate, Vector, alongside hospitality businesses, Wiri Licensing Trust, Kai Pasifika and Rogue and Vagabond. We also advanced the Living Wage at other councils with Auckland and Christchurch raising the bottom up toward the current Living Wage. Now, with commitments to a Living Wage from all the parties in Government, the core public service is set to raise the bar for both directly employed and contracted workers. The Movement will have its first meeting with Government ministers to discuss implementation this month.

Below: New Wellington City Councillor, Fleur Fitzsimons