“It’s a proposal only and we are seeking feedback from team members in our 92 stores before deciding on the next steps — so it’s not appropriate to comment further at this point.”
Ms Davis said The Warehouse in Gisborne had 8.7 FTEs.
More than three FTEs would be lost at each of 27 locations, although the most job losses would be at Auckland, with 31.3 FTEs, Christchurch 36.7, Wellington 20.3, Northland 17.8 and Otago 17.1.
Ms Davis said she “guessed’’ the job losses would occur by the end of the month.
The union wants regional economic development minister Shane Jones to step in over fears the restructure could disproportionately disadvantage the regions.
“If we compare population figures to the proposed losses in the regions, we can see how moves like this will suffocate smaller town New Zealand, and we wonder why Auckland is busting at the seams with people,’’ said Ms Davis.
“It will force more people into the cities.
“If we take into consideration the magnitude of the move it could set a precedent for other businesses to also pull jobs from smaller towns,” said Ms Davis.
The company was not struggling and other retailers were thriving in New Zealand.
“It seems The Warehouse is employing millions of dollars-worth of management and consultancy.
But they are not getting a bargain — just bad advice.
“Kmart completed the same restructure without any redundancies just a few years ago,” she said.
