Foodstuffs distribution centre workers go on strike

Workers picket outside the distribution centre in South Auckland. Photo / Supplied

Workers at a South Auckland Foodstuffs distribution centre have walked off the job and embarked on a seven-day strike.

The strikers are calling on Foodstuffs, which owns Pak'nSave and New World supermarkets, to do more to ensure temporary workers receive decent employment conditions.

They had made bargaining claims and given letters from temps describing the toll their work and the lack of employment protection had on their lives.

"Foodstuffs have a long history of using exploitative labour-hire contracts to avoid their employment responsibilities. The workers have had enough" said the workers' representative, FIRST Union organiser Lisa Meto Fox.

"Most temps are still working with no guarantee of hours and very few protections under employment law. We've come across cases where temps were harassed simply for calling in sick. Something has to change."

On Thursday they were picketing outside the distribution centre in Wiri.

Meto Fox said they had no other option but to strike.

They had made bargaining claims and given letters from temps describing the toll their work and the lack of employment protection had on their lives.

A union spokesman said there were about 60 people at the picket line, but it was peaceful so far. No police were present.

Foodstuffs North Island chief executive Chris Quin confirmed the industrial action and said negotiations had been taking place for the last six weeks.

"Unfortunately, despite third-party mediation, agreement has not been reached and the Union has decided to strike as of Wednesday 2 August," Quin said.

"As a business we are committed to treating our people fairly and we believe the offer we have put to the Union is fair and reasonable. We have plans in place to minimise disruption to customers."

Quin said the distribution centre employs a labour hire company to provide contractors to support the business at certain times of the year.

- With AAP