Hospitality and other workers will gather at five events across the country today, April 1, to call on the Government and employers to take “real action on poverty by making a serious increase to wages”.

The Auckland event is being staged at McDonald’s Britomart from 4pm-6pm.

Unite Union assistant national secretary Ben Peterson says: “Every worker deserves a wage they can live on.

“That remains out of reach for many. On April 1, the minimum wage will rise by just 35 cents.

“This is effectively a pay cut for thousands of workers as it is a below inflation adjustment.

“We need a Government that is capable of protecting the well-being of all working people.

“Instead, we have a coalition that is allowing its ideological mantras to actively drive up poverty.

“Working people should not accept this. Unite Union will be seeking meaningful pathways to living wages in their 2025 wage negotiations, with companies like KFC, McDonald’s, Burger King, and other hospitality employers.

“All workers unhappy with this decision should join Unite to be part of the movement.”

With the minimum wage falling $4.30 short of the living wage ($27.80), the gap between earnings and the cost of living continues to widen, Peterson says.

“Working people are struggling to make ends meet, but it doesn’t have to be this way.

“It’s time to say enough.”