The Wire with Manny

145 workers at the Kawerau factory that manufactures Purex toilet paper have been locked out for three weeks after their strike and rejection of a three percent pay rise. Today, Stella spoke to John Crocker, secretary of Unite Union, about the dynamics of lockouts, and the unusual aspects of this particular case. 

The impacts of transport challenges on disabled people’s lives can be devastating, a recently published research report shows.

The research was a collaboration between the Disabled Person’s Assembly and transport consultants, and sought to illustrate the impact that a lack of access to reliable transport, if any transport at all, has on Aotearoa’s disabled community.

To get some insight into the report, Emilia spoke to the DPA’s policy advisor Paul Brown about the report.

New research illustrates the severe mental and physical toll that the Covid-19 pandemic had on community support workers in Aotearoa. 

The study was conducted by AUT researchers, who collaborated with union representatives from E tū and PSA to reveal the huge psychosocial and physical impacts on social support workers. 

Later today, the researchers will meet with Minister of Health, Andrew Little, to seek commitments to take crucial action on its recommendations.

To hear more about this, Emilia spoke to Associate Professor Katherine Ravenswood from AUT.

This week on The Wire for Rāapa Wednesday...

Alex speaks to Brooke van Velden in his weekly chat with the ACT Party deputy leader.

Emilia chats to Newsroom co-editor Tim Murphy about the Auckland Mayoral elections.

She chats to associate Professor Katherine Ravenswood from AUT about the report into the wellbeing of support workers.

She also speaks with Paul Brown from the Disabled Persons Assembly about the challenges that disabled people face in accessing transport

And she speaks to Cliona Ni Mhurchu from the University of Auckland about her research into added sugar labeling on grocery items.

That's us for the Wednesday Wire! See you next week.