Angry Bunnings workers down tools

Union organiser Garry Hetherington and Bunnings Warehouse staff during yesterday's strike. Photo / John Stone

Staff at Whangarei Bunnings Warehouse have gone to the picket line to protest the company's plans to change rosters at short notice and introduce other conditions workers say will lead to "insecure contracts".

Yesterday's local strike followed those taken by Bunnings employers at up to 17 branches around New Zealand in the past week.

Trade continued inside the big store as staff took turns to make their point. Placard-waving workers received plenty of horn blasts and cheers from passing traffic as up to 15 at a time stood on the side of State Highway 1, near the store, between 11am and 1pm.

The new conditions the Australian-owned hardware chain store wants workers to accept would see bosses able to change rosters and work hours with only two weeks' notice, without agreement, First Union said.

Bunnings said the company put forward what it believes to be an industry-leading proposal covering wage rates and rosters, and has no intention to make wholesale changes to teams' roster patterns. The company said its offer would guarantee staff get a minimum pay increase of 4 per cent this year and a further 2 per cent next year.

But First Union Northland organiser Garry Hetherington said the proposed changes were "one-sided".

"How can workers arrange childcare, family life, sports, community work or other events when their rostered hours can be changed so quickly?" he said.

"When you lose control of your work life it compromises everything from your family life to your participation in the community."

Bunnings said any changes to rosters or hours would take place in full consultation with the team member, with advance notice, so any significant commitments could be raised and taken into account.