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Fresh Collective staff in Auckland have threatened a strike during the Christmas rush demanding a pay increase.
The grocery store is a boutique brand owned by Foodstuffs NZ, which also owns New World and Pak ‘n Save.
First Union spokeswoman Tali Williams said Fresh Collective staff at Mount Albert had been offered 10 cents above the $ 20 minimum wage next year.
Williams said it was unfair that workers at the store, which provided a premium service, were paid less than their counterparts at Pak ‘n Save, where staff earned $ 21.15 an hour.
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“These workers have had a tougher 2020 than most people, risking their own health by working during the pandemic and making sure their community had food supplies,” Williams said.
“Your employer should value your work as much as Fresh Collective customers, or at least as much as competing supermarkets value their workers.”
Fresh Collective Alberton owner James Cardno said he was “disappointed” by the strike action ahead of a busy business period.
“Fresh Collective Alberton is a small sub-brand New World store, with a team size and competitive compensation that reflects the store’s turnover and the catchment area it serves,” Cardno said.
“We are not a new world or an average supermarket, we have a small team of less than 40 people in a small store that was once a Four Square.”
Abigail Dougherty / Stuff
Fresh Collective staff in Auckland plan to strike for a pay increase.
Cardno said no one on his team had a minimum wage and that store management had increased wages by as much as 10 percent in the past three years.
“The salaries of some store employees increase after 12 months of employment, both for assistant and supervisor positions, which are well above average rates for similar positions at other retailers that are larger in size and turnover. “, said.
He said the Fresh Collective Alberton’s union’s comparison to nearby large supermarkets was “flawed.”
“My store is located near some large supermarkets that have the potential to pay higher hourly rates in large part because they are larger businesses and have significantly higher turnover.”
The first strike was scheduled for Monday between 1:00 p.m. M. And 2:00 p.m. M. On New North Rd.
The Commerce Commission is reviewing competition in the supermarket sector, in a year-long “market study” that looks at prices, options, quality and innovation, margins and profitability of retailers in edibles and if there are results that are not consistent with those expected. in a competitive market.
