NDU Bargaining Update

• The National Distribution Union bargaining team has agreed to recommend The Warehouse’s latest bargaining offer.
• The union and company met for the 9th day of bargaining on December 21.
• The parties agreed to meet following a new offer by The Warehouse just as the union was planning a day of action, which was postponed.
• The union’s bargaining team has agreed to take the company’s offer back to union members and is recommending workers vote to accept it.
• Every NDU member has the right to vote for or against the company’s offer.

From our press release:

The union's bargaining campaign will resume as a result of a breakdown in mediated talks between The Warehouse and the National Distribution Union.

NDU Warehouse organiser Simon Oosterman says the company has offered no compensation for huge workloads being undertaken by workers.

“The company says it is worried about the cost of workload compensation but what the workers are asking will cost around half the Warehouse CEO’s bonus,” he says.

Source: Northern Advocate by André Hueber | 2nd December 2009

FRONT LINE: Whangarei Warehouse employees Sina Newton (left) and Robyn Bates. Ms Bates said staff received complaints from customers daily.

Popular retailer The Warehouse has been accused of introducing "Wal-Mart-style" employment plans that will shift the company's focus from people to profits.

Wal-Mart is the world's largest retail employer and has been criticised by human rights organisations and unions for its employment conditions.

Source: NZ Herald, 29/11/2009, by Heather McCracken

Shoppers have been warned to check twice before assuming a "low price" promotion means a discount deal.

The Herald on Sunday found groceries, clothes and electronics being sold as special promotions - but what looked like a markdown was only the regular price.

In one case, the "deal" advertised was actually more expensive than the usual price.

This is the newsletter for the National Distribution Union at The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery. Check out our campaign website at www.warehouseworker.org.nz (You can subscribe and unsubscribe to this newsletter from the front page of this website)

In this issue:
* Company's proposal overwhelmingly rejected
* Resolution passed for weekly 50c campaign fund
* Change of hours/days process
* Your rights: public holidays
* In brief: Quote of the month, Warehouse T-Shirt re-write and Obituary

Source: CATHERINE HARRIS and agencies - The Dominion Post

PAY HIKE: The bosses of Contact Energy and Skellerup Holdings have been rewarded with big pay rises, even though both firms' profits fell substantially.

The bosses of Contact Energy and Skellerup Holdings have been rewarded with big pay rises, even though both firms' profits fell substantially.

A new updated poster including some changes from day 3 and 4 of bargaining. Download the PDF for printing here.

Last week The Warehouse announced:

• A 6.6% increase in earnings before interest and tax totaling $120.2 million
• A 17.8% increase in second half year profits
• A 76% increase for CEO Ian Morrice up to $3.8 million from a $1.6 million dollar bonus
• A surprise additional 10c dividend per share for shareholders

Media Release from the National Distribution Union

September 11, 2009

The $85.2 million profit announced by the Warehouse is in stark contrast to the company’s attempts to give its workers New Zealand’s worst retail employment agreement says the National Distribution Union.

The Warehouse Group combined operating profits for the Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery increased by 5.3% but this was pulled down by the stationery division.

This is the newsletter for the National Distribution Union at The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery. Check out our campaign website at www.warehouseworker.org.nz (You can subscribe and unsubscribe to this newsletter from the front page of this website)

In this issue:
* Warehouse agenda exposed
* Kaikohe workers win extra staff
* Poor quality Warehouse spies
* In brief

Download this newsletter as a full-colour printable A4 PDF newsletter here:

The union has stopped the company practice of naming and shaming checkout operators. Union members from Hawera and other stores contacted the union saying managers were posting till balances with a list of staff on the till on notice boards. This is unacceptable bullying. If this practice continues in your store, please contact the union.