union appeals for world wide solidarity
Over fifty trade unionists and community activists from South Auckland joined forces at an angry picket at the headquarters of Mercury Energy, 602 Great South Road in Green Lane, today Thurs 31 May at 4pm, to protest the death of Folole Muliaga.
Folole died after her power was disconnected from her house by a contractor employed by Mercury Energy, leaving her family to grieve in the dark. Her family had warned and pleaded with the company beforehand that her life support required electricity. She was $170 behind her bill.
Protest organiser Joe Carolan-
"Yet again we see a so-called State Owned Enterprise put profit before people in New Zealand. Mercury Energy should be renamed Murder Energy- they are corporate bully boys who prey on the weak, old and vulnerable of South Auckland, and are no better than the corrupt money lenders who plague our communities. They rely on the fact that people feel alone and isolated- thats why we want to give them a dose of people power tomorrow they will never forget.
We are calling for the sacking of Murder Energys CEOs and their blood soaked moneymen, and for proper democratic community control over the decision making to ensure that this tragedy that Folole and her family suffered is never, ever repeated. We call on the people of Auckland who are angry about this to come join us and say People Before Profit- Murder Energy- Never Again!"
Donations the Muliaga family:
Should you wish to donate, you can do so via direct credit into the following account:
* Lopaayea Muliaga
Westpac Bank
030173 0419547 27
Family talk about losing Folole
TV3 News report of Solidarity Union protest
www.solidarityunion.com