HINERANGI VAIMOSO AND NZPA
Shelves are starting to empty at supermarkets in Hawke's Bay as a strike by Progressive Enterprises' (PEL) distribution workers starts to bite.
About 500 workers at Progressive's nationwide distribution centres supplying Foodtown, Countdown, Woolworths, Super Value, and Fresh Choice went on strike on Friday for higher wages and
better holiday agreements.
A walk around the Countdown supermarkets in Napier and Hastings today revealed gaps on shelves, but managers would not comment on the shortages.
Some products were unavailable and the store posted signs apologising for the inconvenience.
Posters appeared on the windows of Countdown and Woolworth stores this morning on behalf of Progressive Enterprises managing director, Marty Hamnett, explaining details of the strike to customers.
He said Progressive could not meet unrealistic demands, meaning the 30 percent wage increase workers have requested, because that would mean higher prices for merchandise. While Countdown looks to be short on products, Woolworth supermarkets had sourced independent distributors to make sure its shelves were stocked.
The protesting workers are demanding wage increases and a national collective agreement for the three distribution centres, in Auckland, Palmerston North, and Christchurch. On Monday the company locked out striking workers and will not let return to work unless they give up their demands. Mr Hamnett had denied union allegations that the company had contracted out its grocery supply to an external company for the duration of the strike.
"What we are doing is circumventing our warehouses and delivering directly to stores."
"All fresh products - fruit and vegetables, meat, bakery, milk - and chilled, frozen products remain totally unaffected and are delivered fresh daily."
However, it would be extremely difficult to maintain normal stock levels during the strike, he said.
The National Distribution Union's national secretary, Laila Harre, said the company was urgently seeking legal advice on the delivery arrangements.
Ms Harre said Progressive had not made any attempt to contact either the union or mediators.
"They seem to be running a PR strategy, not a bargaining strategy."
Progressive's full-page newspaper adverts, which ran in national and regional papers, "were full of lies", Ms Harre said.
Mr Hamnett said Progressive was "always prepared to negotiate but not until striking staff return to work". The Council of Trade Unions has called on all unions to back the distribution centre workers.
"Management at Progressive Enterprises have been heavy- handed," CTU president Ross Wilson said.
