24 March 2016

Disruption at Richmond PAK’nSAVE as workers go on pre-Easter strike

Workers responsible for filling shelves at the Richmond PAK’nSAVE are on strike this morninig in frustration at the supermarket’s continued refusal to bargain over pay rates and lift wages for low paid workers at the store.

Workers from the Morning Fill, Bakery and Butchery teams have walked off the job right before the busy Easter trading period

Nelson-based FIRST Union organiser Rachel Boyack says the union has been trying to negotiate a collective agreement since November last year at the region’s largest supermarket but the owner refuses to bargain over pay rates.

“Workers at PAK’nSAVE Richmond are paid around $2 less than workers at Countdown supermarkets in Nelson and PAK’nSAVE workers in the North Island. The excuse given by the owner is that South Island workers should not be paid as much as those in the North Island because it is a different market.”

“Workers also have no security over their hours of work and PAK’nSAVE Richmond have refused to acknowledge the impact this has on a worker and their family.”

Rachel Boyack says that the morning fill workers are responsible for filling the shelves every morning and that the industrial action will cause chaos at the store before the busy Easter trading period.

“These workers work extremely hard to get the shop ready for trading at 8am every morning. The owner is refusing to recognise their hard work and the excuses given are starting to wear thin.”

Morning fill worker Cam Scott says that he and his fellow workers are frustrated at the supermarket’s disregard for their wellbeing and refusal to listen to their concerns raised at bargaining.

“We have raised the issue of our low wages and requested greater security around our hours of work. Workers struggle to make ends meet on low wages and low hours of work. We want our concerns to be taken seriously by the supermarket owner.”

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