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Pay rise for Kmart workers
Pay rise for Kmart workers

RNZ News

time21-07-2025

  • Business
  • RNZ News

Pay rise for Kmart workers

File photo. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Kmart workers say a new union agreement is a "huge win" for them. Kmart and Workers First Union have signed a two-year pay deal that will mean staff who have been employed for six months will be entitled to the new living wage of $28.95 from September 2025, increasing to the new living wage the following year. Union members will also get bonuses, of $500 for full-time workers, $350 for part-time workers and $200 for casual workers. The company will provide an improved pathway from casual to permanent employment, and an increase to safety and medical footwear reimbursements. Rudd Hughes, deputy secretary for retail at Workers First, said he believed the new agreement put Kmart workers among the highest-paid retail chain workers in the country. "We're extremely proud of our Kmart bargaining team and hopeful that this new agreement sets a standard in the retail industry that other big brands are paying attention to. "We started negotiations with the company talking about the CPI and 'clawbacks' of previous entitlements, but due to the efforts of our dedicated group of Kmart workers on the bargaining team, we've ended with an industry-leading agreement that includes a progressive living wage for two years and a generous union-only bonus." Tarsh Sullivan, a union coordinator from Kmart Te Rapa said it was a huge win for staff. "I'm happy that we're making progress and moving forward with this deal - we know it's not the same for all retail workers at the moment." Hughes said the Kmart deal sent a clear message to other big-box retailers. "Many of the other big retailers still don't believe their staff are worth a living wage," he said. "But Kmart has been thriving as a business because their staff are fairly paid and feel more motivated and valued by their employer." Kmart has been approached for comment. Careers NZ said retail sales staff generally earn about $48,000 a year and start on minimum wage. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Man arrested after spree of Lego thefts across North Island
Man arrested after spree of Lego thefts across North Island

RNZ News

time15-05-2025

  • RNZ News

Man arrested after spree of Lego thefts across North Island

Photo: Supplied / NZ Police A man has been arrested after a spree of Lego thefts across the upper North Island since the start of the year. Police have been investigating since January, saying retailers in Whangārei, Auckland, and Te Rapa have been targeted. Officers believe highly valuable Lego's were either stolen or had their barcodes altered. They searched a property on Wednesday in Te Atatū South in Auckland and have arrested a 39-year-old man. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police He is charged with seven counts of obtaining by deception and three counts of theft. The man was currently before the Waitākere District Court. Sergeant Julian Conder said police were able to recover all of the stolen Lego during the search warrant. "At the end of the day it will mean that these pieces will be available for those who are willing to pay for their goods," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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