The world's biggest fast food corporation McDonald's is facing a summer of strikes, pickets and a boycott as 1300 union members escalate their campaign in the wake of yesterdays conference of McDonald's bosses refusing to lift pay rates or offer the same security of hours that Restaurant Brands union members get. Unite has set up a web page for workers to share stories of work at McD's.

As company bosses met at the Hyatt Hotel, around 100 strikers from across Auckland and Hamilton rallied outside Queen Street McDonald's before marching on the conference. Angry workers clashed with cops and security guards until a bus parked in front of the protest was moved. 'Ronald' was spared burning after the company agreed a delegation could address the conference. After the delegation entered the Hotel, a breakaway march headed back to Queen Street, where the door was blocked for half-an-hour by a rowdy crowd of workers and a security guard attacked picketing workers.'Ronald' will now accompany workers on picket-lines over the summer.

In Wellington union crew walked off the job for the first time at Lambton Quay and turned hundreds of supportive customers away at the door during the lunch rush.

More: Unite Media Release | Maori Party-Do you want wages with your fries? | Company Profits vs. Wages | Message from world's first McDonald's Striker Photos: 1 | 2 Video: 1 | 2

National organising hui to be held Nov 22/23 in Wellington at Newtown Community Centre

This is a call out and invitation to all those who want to get involved in planning a Climate Camp in Aotearoa New Zealand. The sense of urgency is upon us and the time is ripe for a grassroots mobilisation to stop those responsible in their tracks and demonstrate that a sustainable alternative is both possible and necessary.

PLEASE EMAIL climatecampnz (at) riseup.net to confirm your attendance or interest in further communications about the camp.

Read the full call out by clicking on the More link…

In Wellington yesterday: about twenty protesters braved gale force winds and rain to gather outside the Australian High Commission in Wellington today to demand the immediate release of Palm Island Aboriginal councilor, Lex Wotton. The accused man is facing a life sentence for 'rioting with destruction' following the announcement of the brutal killing of an Aboriginal man in police custody in 2004 [More]

In Auckland a demonstration to free Lex Wotton will be taking place next Friday November 7th. Meet at 5pm outside Downtown Shopping Centre (next to Britomart) to march to the Australian Consulate on Quay Street. [More]

Auckland's Halloween Critical Mass ride was a sight to behold. Around 50 cyclists, most sporting terrifyingly scary costumes took to the streets to scare some cars, then retired to the park to drink Chai and Murder Cookies.

The Crown has issued an indictment today against 18 people arrested in the police raids of October 15th 2007 in Ruatoki, Auckland, Hamilton, Whakatane, Palmerston North, Wellington and elsewhere.

Five of the 18 people have been charged with participation in a criminal gang under section 98A of the Crimes Act.

These charges are a desperate attempt by the Government to save face after the Solicitor-General found ‘insufficient evidence’ to bring charges under the Terrorism Suppression Act. The Crown seeks to characterise political activists who support Tino Rangatiratanga and dissent from the Government as criminals.

All 18 face charges under the Arms Act for possession of weapons and restricted weapons (Molotov cocktails). Although charges relating to 3 of the alleged ‘camps’ had been dismissed outright by Judge Mark Perkins due to lack of evidence following a month long depositions hearing, the Crown has also chosen to re-instate these charges. [ More ]

Tamati Kruger, a trustee for Te Kotahi a Tuhoe, says the arrests make a mockery of talks Tuhoe leaders have been having with police about last October's arrests and lock-down of the Ruatoki valley. "Those talks now I think have become a lot more difficult in light really of what we see as the trawling through laws to find something that may save the police from utter disgrace over this whole painful incident," Mr Kruger says. [ More ]

"Criminal gang" charges ludicrous (Global Peace and Justice Auckland) | NZ police the real criminal gang (Workers Party) | www.October15thSolidarity.info | Aocafe

The last two decades has seen a dramatic increase of western non governmental organisations (NGOs) working in the global south. The results of this foreign penetration is resulting in greater criticism of the role such organisations have in the struggle for social justice. These big international NGOs or, BINGOs, are increasingly criticised for having foreign, often white "experts", ties to corporate and government money, and not supporting or collaborating in local solutions and resources. This has led some to claim NGOs as being a more public friendly means of implementing colonial policy.

This criticism sometimes arises from those within the NGO industrial complex, but mainly it comes from the local population such organisations are supposed to be benefiting. Some examples given in this article are taken from interviews with various campesiños in Ecuador where a couple of specific NGOs are criticized: these specific cases can be compared to more broad practices elsewhere.

Update: The Immigration Bill demo is now on Saturday midday at Cuba Mall

This Saturday Saturday November 1st. 2pm Aotea Square, Queen Street, Central Auckland. March against low pay. In recent months, low paid people have taken strike action in casinos, banks, fastfood outlets, supermarkets and on the busses. Low pay is crippling a generation of workers who are now expected to bear the brunt of a vicious global recession. Join the rally for a decent minimum wage- $15ph NOW! [More]

Meanwhile in Wellington there will be a rally against the repressive Immigration Amenmdment bill, supported by both Labour and National. The Bill Bill would allow for arbitrary and indefinite detention. While in keeping with our history of Dawn Raids and the detention of Ahmed Zaoui, this is an atrocity, condemned by the Human Rights Commission and others. More

The bill has not yet passed. In advance of the elections, time to make sure Labour & co know what we think of it.

WELLINGTON 12pm, Saturday 1 November

Cuba Mall

Fight Against Rape and Violence! Reclaim the Streets! All women, children, takaatapui, fafafine, transgendered and intersexed persons are invited to join the Take Back the Night Rally this Saturday night, November 1st, in Aotea Square in Auckland at 7pm. This will be followed by a March to Basque Park. Unite to Take Back the Night!

Past Auckland Take Back the Night Marches: 2005 | 2006