The Wire with Sara

Stewart Sowman-Lund is back from the holidays and ready for another exciting Thursday Wire! This week, Mary-Margaret's back in the producer's chair.

On the show: 

• Mary-Margaret chats to Deborah Small, from Break the Chains - a US advocacy group focused on communities most vulnerable to the punitive policies caused by the War on Drugs.
• After that, Justice Minister Andrew Little swings by for his weekly chat. Today - does he stand by the Party’s actions over the past two weeks as sexual assault allegations have come to light. 
• Then, we continue our series looking into all the mayoral hopefuls standing in Auckland. Today - Stewart speak to comedian Tom Sainsbury, the campaign manager for ‘Fiona’...
• And finally - in Neighbourhood Watch, Zoe gets us up to date with all the latest Aussie news. Today: We catch up with what Pauline Hanson’s been up to.

All that plus another thrilling edition of Poll Position! 

Cotton On workers walked off the job on Monday to protest the company's refusal to pay them the living wage. Members of FIRST Union picketed outside the clothing store on Queen Street in Auckland’s CBD. Union members have been attempting to negotiate a pay increase since april this year however they’ve stated that the latest offer they’ve received was “worse than the first”. Cotton on themselves have stated on their website that they are committed towards paying a living wage, however workers in their retail and distribution centers are currently paid under that. Jared Abbott, FIRST Union Secretary for Transport, Logistics and Manufacturing has stated that Cotton On is duping customers with false claims of ethical employment practices. He has also highlighted a severe pay inequity for Pasifika and Maori staff compared to Pākehā workers. William Boyd spoke with Jared about the situation at Cotton On for its employees. William started off by asking him how Monday’s strike went.