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Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Burger King Employees Protest Employment Conditions
Burger King Union members nationwide are the latest group to take industrial action against employment conditions and agreements. There is a particular focus on rescaling wages, salaried management and work to pay ratios. United Union National Secretary and lead negotiator Gerard Hehir told 95bFM reporters the race to the bottom mentality is largely to blame for such systemic problems. “The danger is that as the minimum wage goes up, there is still that mentality of race to the bottom,” says Heir. “What will happen is that the rates that were paid above the minimum wage will disappear. We will see that in the security industry very much.” The picketing is in attempt to raise awareness among the public and other sectors as well as promoting change in the employment conditions.Nurses Reject Pay Offer and Prepare to Strike
Nurses believe they have the public's support as they gear up for New Zealand's first national nursing strike in 30 years. This follows nurses rejecting a offer of a pay increase between nine and fifteen percent rolled out over 18 months, totalling half a billion dollars. However, nurses say the benefits won't be spread across the sector with junior staff losing out. If the strike went ahead, hospitals would be left with skeleton staff only running emergency services. The government says the nurses' rejection of an improved pay offer from District Health Boards is disappointing. . Health Minister David Clark says the offer was the largest in a decade and he is impressed with the way nurses and DHBs are working together. He also hoped that a solution could be found to avoid industrial action.Invercargill CBD Set to Get a $160m Facelift
New plans for Invercargill's $160 million inner city redevelopment have been released. The plans, which include a retail precinct, central medical centre, a boutique eatery and additional parking spaces, will generate 400 new jobs annually during the construction process. HWCP Management chair Scott O'Donnell says the company will look to maximise the use of local labour and services wherever possible. Demolition will likely begin early next year, with completion forecast to take 3 to 5 years.Calls for Matariki Calendar Roll Out
A Māori language education organisation is calling for Aotearoa to swap their Gregorian calendar for Matariki calendars. Te Ataarangi Te Tauihu, based in the South Island, has launched its first bilingual Matariki calendar, which begins in June to recognise the Maori New Year. Te Ataarangi kaiako (teacher) Christine Piper says the project is a fundraiser, and there are plans to produce it on an annual basis. Piper added that Matariki reflected the Māori view that mid-winter was a better time for planning and renewal. Publisher of the calendar, Robbie Burton, described it as a"beautiful piece of work", that served to deepen people's knowledge of their local culture and environment.Charter Schools Face Uncertain Futures
Ten charter schools received contract termination letters on June 7, leaving more than 1,000 students in limbo. Parents are concerned about the impact this will have, with some school rolls including students that have been excluded or expelled from other schools. The Ministry of Education spokesperson Ellen MacGregor-Reid says the government has been clear from the start about charter school termination and that ending the contracts is part of a legal process. Education Minister Chris Hipkins will make a decision about charter schools by July 31.Osaka Shaken by 6.1 Earthquake
An earthquake hit Osaka yesterday, killing at least three people and injuring 234. The 6.1 magnitude earthquake originated at the north of Osaka during rush hour. The tremors also affected nearby areas of Kyoto and Nara. Airports in the area were closed and the high speed trains suspended operations during the morning hours. Japan's meteorological agency warned there could be another big earthquake in the coming days. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the government was assessing damage and that its top priority was the safety of residents.Papua New Guinea Declares State of Emergency Following Riots
Papua New Guinea is declaring a state of emergency following riots and looting in Mendi, the capital of the Southern Highlands province. The riots follow political and legal disputes over election of a regional governor in the area. Approximately 150 protesters have looted a warehouse and torched buildings. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says provincial government has been suspended and troops have reportedly being deployed to the area.2,000 Children Separated from ‘Illegal’ US Immigrants
Nearly 2,000 children have been separated from their parents between mid April and the end of May, after the parents are charged of entering the US illegally. This comes from a new policy introduced by US President Donald Trump, which prosecutes adults who try to cross the border for illegal entry. The undocumented children are housed in detention centres, including warehouses and converted supermarkets. Some in President Trump's Republican Party have spoken against the policy. Republican Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker described the policy as inhumane and decides not to send the state's National Guard to enforce border security in the Southern border.FIFA Investigating Homophobic Chants at World Cup Match
FIFA is investigating homophobic chants made by Mexican fans during their 1-0 World Cup win against Germany on Sunday. The Mexican Football Federation was handed 11 disciplinary actions over homophobia during the World Cup Qualifiers. It has repeatedly asked fans to refrain from using slurs. FIFA will have three observers at all World Cup matches to monitor the behaviour of spectators. Anti-discrimination organisation Kick it Out says there must be a swift and robust response following any incident, as fines will not be sufficient to foster an environment that can protect players from abuse.Additional reporting by Leonard Powell, Jean Bell, Justin Wong.
LOCAL NEWS
Burger King Union members nationwide are the latest group to take industrial action against employment conditions and agreements. There is a particular focus on rescaling wages, salaried management and work to pay ratios. United Union National Secretary and lead negotiator Gerard Hehir told 95bFM reporters the race to the bottom mentality is largely to blame for such systemic problems. “The danger is that as the minimum wage goes up, there is still that mentality of race to the bottom,” says Heir. “What will happen is that the rates that were paid above the minimum wage will disappear. We will see that in the security industry very much.” The picketing is in attempt to raise awareness among the public and other sectors as well as promoting change in the employment conditions.Nurses Reject Pay Offer and Prepare to Strike
Nurses believe they have the public's support as they gear up for New Zealand's first national nursing strike in 30 years. This follows nurses rejecting a offer of a pay increase between nine and fifteen percent rolled out over 18 months, totalling half a billion dollars. However, nurses say the benefits won't be spread across the sector with junior staff losing out. If the strike went ahead, hospitals would be left with skeleton staff only running emergency services. The government says the nurses' rejection of an improved pay offer from District Health Boards is disappointing. . Health Minister David Clark says the offer was the largest in a decade and he is impressed with the way nurses and DHBs are working together. He also hoped that a solution could be found to avoid industrial action.
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New plans for Invercargill's $160 million inner city redevelopment have been released. The plans, which include a retail precinct, central medical centre, a boutique eatery and additional parking spaces, will generate 400 new jobs annually during the construction process. HWCP Management chair Scott O'Donnell says the company will look to maximise the use of local labour and services wherever possible. Demolition will likely begin early next year, with completion forecast to take 3 to 5 years.Calls for Matariki Calendar Roll Out
A Māori language education organisation is calling for Aotearoa to swap their Gregorian calendar for Matariki calendars. Te Ataarangi Te Tauihu, based in the South Island, has launched its first bilingual Matariki calendar, which begins in June to recognise the Maori New Year. Te Ataarangi kaiako (teacher) Christine Piper says the project is a fundraiser, and there are plans to produce it on an annual basis. Piper added that Matariki reflected the Māori view that mid-winter was a better time for planning and renewal. Publisher of the calendar, Robbie Burton, described it as a"beautiful piece of work", that served to deepen people's knowledge of their local culture and environment.Charter Schools Face Uncertain Futures
Ten charter schools received contract termination letters on June 7, leaving more than 1,000 students in limbo. Parents are concerned about the impact this will have, with some school rolls including students that have been excluded or expelled from other schools. The Ministry of Education spokesperson Ellen MacGregor-Reid says the government has been clear from the start about charter school termination and that ending the contracts is part of a legal process. Education Minister Chris Hipkins will make a decision about charter schools by July 31.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
An earthquake hit Osaka yesterday, killing at least three people and injuring 234. The 6.1 magnitude earthquake originated at the north of Osaka during rush hour. The tremors also affected nearby areas of Kyoto and Nara. Airports in the area were closed and the high speed trains suspended operations during the morning hours. Japan's meteorological agency warned there could be another big earthquake in the coming days. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the government was assessing damage and that its top priority was the safety of residents.Papua New Guinea Declares State of Emergency Following Riots
Papua New Guinea is declaring a state of emergency following riots and looting in Mendi, the capital of the Southern Highlands province. The riots follow political and legal disputes over election of a regional governor in the area. Approximately 150 protesters have looted a warehouse and torched buildings. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill says provincial government has been suspended and troops have reportedly being deployed to the area.2,000 Children Separated from ‘Illegal’ US Immigrants
Nearly 2,000 children have been separated from their parents between mid April and the end of May, after the parents are charged of entering the US illegally. This comes from a new policy introduced by US President Donald Trump, which prosecutes adults who try to cross the border for illegal entry. The undocumented children are housed in detention centres, including warehouses and converted supermarkets. Some in President Trump's Republican Party have spoken against the policy. Republican Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker described the policy as inhumane and decides not to send the state's National Guard to enforce border security in the Southern border.FIFA Investigating Homophobic Chants at World Cup Match
FIFA is investigating homophobic chants made by Mexican fans during their 1-0 World Cup win against Germany on Sunday. The Mexican Football Federation was handed 11 disciplinary actions over homophobia during the World Cup Qualifiers. It has repeatedly asked fans to refrain from using slurs. FIFA will have three observers at all World Cup matches to monitor the behaviour of spectators. Anti-discrimination organisation Kick it Out says there must be a swift and robust response following any incident, as fines will not be sufficient to foster an environment that can protect players from abuse.Additional reporting by Leonard Powell, Jean Bell, Justin Wong.