THE EFFECTS of a 10-day long industrial dispute at Progressive Enterprises are starting to show at two Masterton stores.
Woolworths on Queen Street and Woolworths @ Gull are both struggling to keep a number of shelves of "dry stock" filled, while union representatives vow locked out workers will continue their fight
until their demands for a pay rise and a national collective agreement are met.
Around 600 workers were locked out of their jobs a week ago, three days after starting a strike in pursuit of their claims.
Store manager at Woolworths @ Gull, Lynda Robinson, said gaps are starting to show on her shelves after 10 days of non-delivery of many products.
"It's mainly drinks and chippies that we're running low on. We just have to order what we can through Woolworths and hope that it (the industrial action) doesn't last too long."
Mrs Robinson said her store relies more on takings from the shop than fuel. She said so far her staff have been able to use the store's reserves to fill most of the gaps on their shelves, but their storeroom is now looking "pretty empty".
"It's been good to clear out some of the stock, I suppose, but give it another 10 days and I think serious gaps will be appearing."
Mrs Robinson said financially her store hasn't been affected too badly, but she is concerned about the effect on Woolworths nationally.
"I think it will be making an impact through New Zealand by now."
Since the dispute began, Woolworths @ Gull has missed out on delivery of five pallets of product they would normally have.
