UNITE action in support of NZ supermarket workers
UNITE is organising an emergency action in support of over 500 locked out supermarket workers in New Zealand. The workers are employed by Progressive which is owned by Woolworths Australia.
The details are: 4-6pm Wednesday September 13th outside the Safeway / Big W entrance corner of Lonsdale and Swanston Streets City. Please come along and bring union & community flags & banners. See below for the text of the leaflet we will be distributing on the day, plus photos!
Local graffitti artists painted this mural in solidarity with the locked out workers.
WOOLWORTHS - THE LOW PAY PEOPLE
Shame Woolworths Shame! - Support the locked out distribution workers in New Zealand!
Woolworths Australia own outlets such as Safeway and Big W. In New Zealand they own a company called Progressive Enterprises. Over 500 Progressive employees in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch Distribution Centres have been locked out of their workplaces by Woolworths until they agree to abandon their claim for a national collective agreement.
Woolworths Australia is the largest retailer in Australasia and recently announced a 24.3% increase in profits of $1.2 billion dollars (A$1.1 billion) and expects sales to increase by 8-12% next year. New Zealand distribution workers earn around 35% less than their Australian co-workers despite food prices being generally lower in Australia. The CEO of Woolworths Australia, Roger Corbett, takes home an outrageous $A8.5 million a year. This is 340 times more than a full time checkout operator.
The lockout follows the indefinite suspension of workers after they commenced a 48 hour strike over two weeks ago. The workers are claiming a measly 8% wage increase and allowance parity between the four distribution centres.
Woolworths have decided to take on these workers in an attempt to keep their pay at poverty levels. Say no poverty wages in retail and distribution. Say no to greedy employers attacking our right to collectively bargain.
Support the locked out workers by not shopping at any Woolworths outlets.
Woolworths Australia own brands including Safeway, Food For Less, Dick Smith Electronics and PowerHouse, Tandy, Woolworths Liquor, BWS, First Estate, Dan Murphy’s, Plus Petrol, BIG W, Woolworths Ezy Banking, Woolworths HomeShop and GreenGrocer.
We are asking all customers to please consider not shopping at any of these outlets.
Also send a message to the Progressive Enterprises Managing Director, Marty Hamnett. Tell him you will not be shopping at places owned by Woolworths. marty.hamnett@progressive.co.nz
For more information about the campaign visit www.shelfrespect.org
Mass picket outside one of the distrubution centres