Tauranga's poolside lifeguards could have their wages increased to about $18.80 an hour if the city council decides that all its employees should be paid a "living wage".
Catherine Catherine Stewart backed a petition presented to the council today which asked the council to progressively increase minimum hourly rates for the lowest paid until they reached the living wage of $18.80 an hour.
The petition was presented by retired Tauranga engineer Chris Lee who highlighted the growing pay disparity between the top 20 per cent and bottom 20 per cent of the workforce.
Mr Lee said the difference between the minimum wage of $14.25 and the living wage was about $8000 net a year. "Maybe an extra cart of groceries a week."
He said he was not proud that inequality had grown so rapidly in New Zealand, going from a highly regarded egalitarian society to ranking near the top of of the most unequal First World countries - and all in his lifetime.
"Our societal ills are clearly evident in the daily news."
Mr Lee understood that up to 50 council employees were on the lowest wage band between the minimum wage and the living wage. There was reference during the meeting to the lowest paid being poolside lifeguards.
Cr Stewart successfully moved that the council consider a living wage policy as part of its review of salary bands for the 2015-25 long-term financial plan.
She agreed that the gap between the top and bottom salary bands had dramatically increased, particularly in the last 10 years.
Councillor Kelvin Clout backed the move, saying it would not be too difficult to do the financial exercise.
Councillor Matt Cowley was the only opposing vote, telling the Bay of Plenty Times afterwards that raising pay rates was not the solution. There were other things they could do like in-house skill-based training.