Workers’ rights – something to sing about
Workers from a wide range of unions are coming together to share union songs and music at the Unions Wellington Mayday Concert, which will be held at the Walter Nash Stadium in Taita, Lower Hutt on Saturday 29 April at 7.00pm.
Unions Wellington Convenor Danielle Davies says the union movement has a strong tradition of songs about working conditions and protest movements. “As New Zealand’s political and cultural capital, Wellington is the perfect location for a Union concert! ”Workers’ rights are something to sing about, and Wellington has its fair share of union bands.”
The line up for the concert includes Not the Day Job, led by Ross Teppett of the NZ Council of Trade Unions, which is currently preparing a CD of songs by the late NZCTU Secretary Peter Conway. It also includes the Brass Razoo Solidarity Band, a group of brass and wind players who can often be found at Wellington rallies and demonstrations.
A special guest will be New Zealand’s Got Talent winner Renee Maurice who is preparing a bracket of songs about working life.
Danielle says the concert is attracting the participation of young workers who are enthusiastic about celebrating International Workers Day with songs and music. “Many people are struggling in their workplaces, and changes to employment legislation are eroding away conditions that have been hard fought for. To overcome these realities, we must come together in union work together to improve things for all of us.”
Danielle says all are welcome at the concert, which asks a gold coin donation as entry fee. “We hope that workers and families in the Greater Wellington and Hutt Valley will come and help us celebrate.”
All welcome, gold coin entry
