4 September 2015

Warehouse workers still striking after low wage offer

After strikes at the Warehouse Manukau, Blenheim and New Lynn, workers at the Warehouse Rotorua will walk off the job at 12pm today says FIRST Union organiser Dennis Maga.

“Warehouse workers across the country are rejecting the company’s offer of a 30 and 31 cent wage increase. Several stores have even voted for strike action.”

“Farmers is lifting wages for its workers by 70 to 80 cents. The Warehouse is fast falling behind other large retail chains,” says Maga.

“While the Warehouse touts its Career Retailer Wage (CRW) the reality is that not all workers receive it. You need to clock 5000 hours or 5 years’ service before qualifying.”

“Warehouse workers are calling on the management team to live up to its own rhetoric. They claim the CRW was inspired by the Living Wage, yet the CRW remains below the living wage level of $19.25,” says Maga.

“Prosperity for the company shouldn’t mean austerity for the workers. The Warehouse posted a comfortable profit last year after recording revenue of over $1 billion. The workers who create the profits deserve a greater share.”

For further comment contact FIRST Union organiser Dennis Maga: 021 971 070

ENDS

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