Supermarket wary of motives behind NZ strikes

Supermarket operator Progressive Enterprises says it is growing wary of the motives behind a strike by workers at its distribution centres. About 500 distribution workers have been on strike since August 25 as part of a campaign for a national collective agreement.

They will be joined by 23 Christchurch meatworkers who begin a four day strike over their pay negotiations at midnight. Progressive Enterprises is also due to start negotiations with its retail staff on Thursday.

Managing director Marty Hamnett says the escalating industrial action makes him wonder if the union has deeper issues with the Australian-owned company.

Background

The dispute involves 500 workers in Auckland, Christchurch and Palmerston North; who have been on strike since August 25 in a dispute over a single collective agreement and a pay rise. They weresubsequently locked out on August 28. Progressive Enterprises says it wants three contracts - one for each site. Progressive Enterprises owns the Countdown, Foodtown and Woolworths supermarkets.

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