Workers get to keep their jobs at The Warehouse Kaikohe

Workers get to keep their jobs at The Warehouse Kaikohe

The union representing The Warehouse workers is thankful the company has re-negotiated with its landlord so will now stay open in Kaikohe.

The company advised Kaikohe store workers yesterday of an impending closure in June, saying they could not renew their lease, but FIRST Union understands a two-year lease was in fact offered. Nevertheless the company re-entered negotiations with its landlord this afternoon and have come to an arrangement. It is not yet clear how long the new lease is for.

There were concerns the iconic Kiwi brand were no longer putting people first after it was revealed it was planning to close the store and had recently enlisted the services of the somewhat high profile and controversial US consultancy McKinsey & Company that specializes in digitization and automation.

First Union National Coordinator for The Warehouse Kate Davis says they’re thankful the company has illustrated its commitment to the workers and residents of Kaikohe. She says it is somewhat disappointing the company didn’t try harder to exhaust all options in the first place.

The Warehouse is a large employer in the area and the shop itself plays an important function within the community. A closure would have been a real hit for an area already struggling with exceptionally high unemployment. It is taxpayers who eventually end up picking up the bill for aggressive company moves such as this as there are so few employment opportunities in these areas.

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