Latest news with #WorkersFirstUnion
RNZ News
01-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Union annoyed as scores of workers from fire-damaged New World still jobless
A major fire destroyed the supermarket in June. Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi Only just over 100 of more than 180 people employed by Victoria Park New World have so far found work in other Foodstuffs supermarkets. Workers First Union on Friday expressed concern that Foodstuffs had "reneged on its commitment" to rehire staff from the fire-damaged supermarket . Workers would receive their last Victoria Park pay cheques on Monday, the union said, but about 40 percent would now be without work . Union members say that of the 80 new positions available at New World Point Chevalier, only around half had been filled by staff from New World Victoria Park. One worker told the union that staff aged 40 or older and those with disabilities and learning difficulties had been less likely to be recruited. Workers First Union wants Foodstuffs North Island - the cooperative comprising New World and Pak'N'Save stores in the North Island - to prioritise hiring all displaced workers from Victoria Park. "They coordinate on pricing, stock, advertising and specials - why the hell can't they coordinate rehiring experienced staff who've lost their jobs as a result of a fire?" said Workers First organiser Jas Giri. "We're really concerned that the apparent indifference by Foodstuffs store managers in the region means an estimated 40 percent of Victoria Park workers will be without any income from Monday, when their final paycheques arrive. "It's unnecessary, disheartening and confusing behaviour from a company that many of these workers have given decades of their lives to and believed they would be looked after by when the worst happened." Foodstuffs said it rejected the suggestion of ageism. A spokesperson said Foodstuffs North Island employed more than 4000 people aged over 50 and 76 over the age of 80. "The work put in across our network to support the New World Victoria Park team is paying off. So far, 106 former Victoria Park team members have secured roles with other Foodstuffs stores, and another nine have found employment outside the co-op. We're continuing to connect remaining team members with roles that match their availability, travel preferences, and experience. "Over the past few weeks, we've hosted two full days of recruitment interviews for those interested in joining the soon-to-open New World Point Chevalier. We also held a speed-interview event, where around 120 Victoria Park team members met hiring managers from 17 Auckland stores, along with representatives from Seek and a recruitment agency. "Hiring decisions are always based on role requirements, shift availability and candidate suitability. Age, gender, and ethnicity are never factors in our recruitment. We are working hard to find opportunities, but these also need to suit the operations for each store. "We've asked all stores to fast-track Victoria Park applicants and respond quickly, so no one is left waiting unnecessarily. The Victoria Park owner operator, senior leaders, and our HR team are continuing to reach out to individual team members to ensure they feel supported and informed. "We're over halfway through reconnecting with Auckland stores that have vacancies, and those we've spoken to are actively meeting candidates, providing feedback, and hiring where possible. As new roles come up, we'll continue to link available Victoria Park team members to those opportunities."
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Kmart Workers Secure New "Industry-Leading" Two-Year Living Wage Deal
Kmart workers are celebrating today after Workers First Union members ratified a new 2-year pay deal that includes minimum living wages after six months' service for both 2025 and 2026, union-only bonuses and more. Rudd Hughes, Deputy Secretary (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," said Mr Hughes. "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." Of the more than 1,110 Workers First members at Kmart, 96% voted to ratify the new collective agreement in a series of store-by-store meetings over the last three weeks. The agreement includes the new living wage of $28.95 per hour after six months' service from September 2025, increasing to the living wage for 2026/27 the following year, union-only bonuses of $500 for full-time workers, $350 for part-time workers and $200 for casual workers, an improved pathway from casual to permanent employment, and an increase to safety and medical footwear reimbursements. For Tarsh Sullivan, a coordinator from Kmart Te Rapa who was part of the bargaining team, the new agreement is a "huge win" for workers. "The union-only bonus is a big deal for a lot of the younger workers because it shows them why we're in a union and what you can do when you stick together," said Ms Sullivan. "We were also really happy to lock in a better pathway for casual workers to get into full-time employment, because you can get stuck there in retail jobs sometimes." "The future is unpredictable, especially under this Government. 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." "Our goal now is to keep recruiting new union members and building momentum for next time we bargain, because we can do even better." Rudd Hughes said the Kmart deal sent a clear message to other big-box retailers like Farmers, The Warehouse and Briscoes. "Many of the other big retailers still don't believe their staff are worth a living wage," said Mr Hughes. "But Kmart has been thriving as a business because their staff are fairly paid and feel more motivated and valued by their employer." "We need to start measuring company success differently and move on from the 'infinite growth' mentality. We should be asking companies more about what their staff earn, not their CEO."
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- 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.
Scoop
20-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Budget Must Deliver For Burnt-Out St John Workforce
Press Release – Workers First Union She warned that unless this Budget delivers real improvements, ambulance officers could be forced back into the same impossible bargaining position as last year, when St John repeated that they couldnt improve wages and conditions without additional … Ambulance officers who work for Hato Hone St John say this week's Budget must include real funding to improve pay and conditions or the Government risks driving more experienced paramedics offshore or back into industrial action. Last week, ambulance delegates from across Aotearoa gathered in Auckland for a Workers First conference (photo above) as the group prepares to enter bargaining again with the partially charity-funded ambulance provider. They also discussed their growing concerns about a workforce crisis that is being made worse by insufficient public health funding. Faye McCann, Workers First National Ambulance Coordinator, said that this year's Budget marks the final year of a four-year ambulance funding agreement, and last year's negotiations had failed to substantially lift wages, address penal rates that are significantly lower than comparable health professions, or deliver the infrastructure needed to keep the service functioning successfully while meeting growing patient demand. 'We can't keep plugging holes with goodwill and expecting ambulance officers to carry the cost of a broken system,' said Ms McCann. 'Ambulance staff are already burnt out, understaffed, and responding to more mental health and high-risk incidents than ever before. It's getting worse, especially in Auckland, where short staffing is at crisis levels even as the population grows and demand rises.' 'Officers are leaving for Australia because the pay is better, the infrastructure is better, and the workload is safer. We're losing people we can't afford to lose.' Ms McCann said ambulance officers were dismayed that last year's Budget failed to fulfil the National Party and New Zealand First's coalition promise to increase the proportion of Government funding for the country's ambulance services. 'When it comes to the Treaty Principles Bill or other dodgy political priorities, the coalition agreement framework between parties is treated like it's enshrined in law – but when it comes to funding emergency services, that promise is suddenly a 'nice-to-have',' said Ms McCann. She warned that unless this Budget delivers real improvements, ambulance officers could be forced back into the same impossible bargaining position as last year, when St John repeated that they couldn't improve wages and conditions without additional Government funding. 'Some funding eventually came, but only after a national strike and a drawn-out, behind-closed-doors process that no one wants to repeat,' said Ms McCann. 'We're calling on the Government to fund ambulance services properly so that St John can offer decent wages, fair conditions, and a service that New Zealanders can actually rely on.' 'Cuts to the broader health budget, or a failure to meet growing cost pressures and rising demand, will mean ambulance officers are the ones bearing the brunt of underfunding, and patients will be worse off for it.' 'Ambulance services cannot be the casualty of another austerity Budget from this Government.' Ms McCann said that Workers First ambulance officers' ultimate goal remained the full operational funding of emergency health services, and she believed that services like St John and Wellington Free fully supported that aim.
