Restaurant Brands National Call Center to Strike

The Restaurant Brands call center on 49 Symonds St in Auckland city will be going on strike tonight at 6pm, Friday 24th of February.

The call center is joining the SuperSizeMyPay.Com’s month of industrial action leading up to the ‘BigPayOut.co.nz’ demonstration and free concert on the 18th of March.

The Restaurant Brands call center is one of the lowest paying call centers in New Zealand, paying just above the adult minimum wage and only employs part-time workers (except for managers).

Amber Parkes, 20, has been working at the call center for 6 months and her hours vary weekly from between 30 to 40 each week.

“The companies pay offer is pathetic for the amount of stuff we have to put up with. Customers can be rude and we only get 10 minute meal breaks, our hours aren’t guaranteed and we are often asked to start late and finish early. We even have to pay for pizza delivery at dinner time,” she said.

SuperSizeMyPay.Com campaign co-ordinator, Simon Oosterman, said that union members were seriously concerned about a wide range of issues at the call center, but would accept the company’s current offer but only if wage rates were addressed.

“Despite strongly-held views by a large percentage of union members at the call center, workers would accept Restaurant Brand’s current offer if it included: a 3 month training rate of $11 moving to $12.50 and the option of a 50% discount on Restaurant Brands food or an equivalent meal allowance,” he said.

Mr Oosterman said that workers were inspired by the industrial action taken by the fast food stores and the support they have been getting from the general public.

“Workers are asking customers nationwide to give them support when they are buying their Pizza Hut pizzas and KFC through the 0800 83 83 83 number tonight,” he concluded.

Workers are inviting the public to attend the strike.

ENDS

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