This just in from the union newswires...

UNION SAVES 30 MINS PAY FOR STAFF WORKING 4-6 HOURS

Staff working between 4-6 hours at The Warehouse can thank their union co-workers for helping saving 30 minutes of their pay.

New break legislation which came into effect on April 1 guarantees breaks for industries and workplaces without a union for the first time in 10 years.

The new legislation includes an additional 30 minutes unpaid break for workers rostered between 4 and up to 6 hours.

Bargaining for a pay rise and conditions is about to begin!

The Newsletter for the National Distribution Union campaign 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:
* $10,000 backpay: "Choice!"
* Wondering why you got a mysterious pay rise and back pay recently?
* Bargaining for a pay rise and conditions is about to begin!

Nightfill workers at The Warehouse Whangarei stopwork meeting

The Newsletter for the National Distribution Union campaign 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:

The NDU says The Warehouse has let its workforce down by not consulting them before closing its Cellars business.

The company announced the closure, which could see up to 26 jobs disappear, earlier today. The closure follows the October shutdown of their grocery business which will result in 80 – 100 job losses.

“This is the second time in recent months that they have announced a decision to close without discussion.” says NDU National Secretary Laila Harré.

The National Distribution Union is bargaining for a new collective agreement at The Warehouse. In the NDU every member gets the opportunity to decide what we bargain for. Union meetings will be held in every store starting with thirty-five stores before Christmas with all other meetings held in early 2009. See what claims workers have put forward or add your own..

Anne Marie says the union's claims meetings are the first of their kind

The Newsletter for the National Distribution Union campaign at The Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery. Check out our campaign website at www.warehouseworker.org.nz

In this issue:
* It's our first real change to have a say - the NDU has started the bargaining process with claims meetings around the country
* Xmas rights for Nightfill workers

The National Distribution Union representing workers at The Warehouse fears for the future of staff after the retailer decided to discontinue its supermarket arm, opening up the company to the possibility of a takeover.

The Warehouse says its fresh food and grocery operation, branded Warehouse Extra has failed to result in an increase in sales of clothing and general merchandise as was expected. It will be dismantled within six months.

The glittering prize of 85 prime retail sites from Kaitiaia to Invercargill could be up for grabs again now that The Warehouse Group has abandoned its foray into fresh food and groceries.

The retailer's share price rose 40 cents to $3.49 on the announcement yesterday that it was pulling the plug on its three Extra stores in Whangarei, Auckland and Hamilton.

The Warehouse estimated exit and restructuring costs at $10 million to $12 million pre-tax, including asset writedowns of up to $5 million.

It expected an annualised pre-tax improvement in trading earnings of about $9 million.

Members of the Warehouse People Union have been sent a letter by the WPU this week asking you to sign and return an attached form to them before 10 September.

We advise you not to sign or return the form. We have taken urgent legal advice on the content of the letter and the form itself.

Over 1000 Warehouse and Warehouse Stationery employees have joined the NDU and we are now taking the first steps towards the negotiation of new collective agreements.

Signing the form attached to the WPU letter may prevent you and your workmates from being covered by a new NDU collective agreement.