Court battle put aside for talks

Striking workers protest at the Progressive Enterprises distribution centre in Mangere, Auckland. Picture / Glenn Jeffrey

Progressive Enterprises and the union representing 600 workers locked out four weeks ago deferred a court battle yesterday in favour of renewed talks.

Though neither side would confirm it publicly, it is believed a new offer is under discussion between the owner of Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown supermarkets and distribution workers.

"We're still talking and that is always a good sign when two parties are talking," was all Progressive's managing director, Marty Hamnett, would say.

A hearing in the Employment Court of an application by the National Distribution Union for an injunction was adjourned until 9am tomorrow because the two parties were in talks. Both parties sought the adjournment.

"We're talking. We think it is worthwhile," said the union's national secretary, Laila Harre. The two parties would talk through the night if necessary.

The union went to court to argue the lockout was unlawful because it was intended to stop the bargaining of a collective agreement. It was the second injunction the union sought in the strike. Ms Harre said it was contrary to the Employment Relations Act to demand workers give up the right to negotiate in good faith for a national collective agreement.

Up to 600 workers at distribution centres in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch began what was to be a 48-hour strike on August 25 but were then locked out by Progressive.

Workers want a pay rise and a national collective agreement to cover the three centres.

Yesterday six Australian union members - from the Maritime Union of Australia, the Transport Workers Union and the Rail Tram and Bus Union - joined the picket lines in support of the workers for the next two weeks.

Ms Harre has said locked-out families had been heartened by the solidarity shown by unions and the community. About $15,000 had been raised for them.

"They've come over to New Zealand and are trying to deny living wages and conditions for hardworking people and their families," Glenn Nightingale, from the Transport Workers Union of Australia, told National Radio.

Progressive is owned by Woolworths of Australia. It competes with New Zealand-owned co-operative Foodstuffs; each have just under half the market.

Business leaders have said the Progressive dispute was worrying because it reflected a new style of more ideological union claims.

Progressive supermarkets in Wellington have been disrupted by "trolley jams" in support of workers. Supermarket shelves have also looked understocked during the strike.

The union has said the supermarket workers want an end to youth rates, a 7 per cent pay rise, and to retain the additional week of long-service leave some union members had been receiving for more than 20 years.

- NZPA