Farmers Urged not to Discount Wages

Media Release from the National Distribution Union

December 3, 2008

Shoppers at Farmers Cuba Mall store in Wellington will be leafleted from 11am to 2pm tomorrow as part of an ongoing pay dispute.

On the morning of the biggest retail day of the year for the Farmers department store, the union representing Farmers workers is urging the company not to discount wages.

Maxine Gay, Retail Secretary of the National Distribution Union says Farmers' Thursday pre-Christmas "card-holders" day is traditionally the best day on its retail calendar. Ms Gay estimates Farmers will pull in more than $14 million on the day.

"A Farmers special promotion "Family and Friends" day held three weeks ago brought in $10.9 million," says Ms Gay,

"At the same time as reaching these enormous turnovers Farmers are denying a wage increase that even keeps pace with the rate of inflation.

"Farmers have offered most of their staff a 20 cents per hour increase, with a handful getting more and some getting nothing."

Staff have taken a variety of actions including wearing 'Value Farmers Workers' stickers at work, joining a Skinny Santa parade up Queen St, petitioning Farmers owners and lightning strikes

ENDS

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