האגודה הישראלית לחקר יחסי עבודה



Pak 'n Save supermarkets in Christchurch were picketed today by First Union "stick men" because southern stores pay $2 less an hour than northern counterparts.

Stickman​ is a Pak 'n Save advertising character.

Reactions from store managers and owners stiffened as the day wore on and security personnel moved in quickly, confiscating pamphlets saying "no more Pak'nSlave".

The stick men lasted 20 minutes at the Northlands Pak 'n Save, less at the Moorhouse Ave store, and were intercepted at the door at the Wainoni supermarket.

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Union organiser Bill Bradford said minimum pay rates at the Mangere Pak 'n Save in Auckland of $17.95 an hour.

South Island workers were paid the minimum wage of $15.25 an hour, he said.

The union wants to engage the Pak 'n Save owner Foodstuffs in its efforts to seek collective negotiations with all the southern stores.

A Foodstuffs spokeswoman Antoinette Laird said the union was not engaged in bargaining with any of the Christchurch-based Pak 'n Save stores and was surprised by the union's action and statements.

"Foodstuffs is unable to provide any further comment."

Bradford said the point of the union action in Christchurch was to bring its message to customers and try to make headway on collective agreements.

He said all the store owners used the same employer advocate at each negotiation while claiming individual store agreements.

But North Island store owners were prepared to negotiate collective agreements.

"The South Island stores are just as profitable as the northern ones so the South Island owners are reaping more by paying workers less," Bradford said.

First Union plans to continue its campaign in Christchurch over the next three days including a picket of the Foodstuff South Island headquarters in Papanui.

- Stuff