'That is criminal': Why Woolworths workers are walking off the job today

Fed up with their demands for a decent wage, improved staffing levels, and safer working conditions not being met, Woolworths workers across Aotearoa will walk off the job today.

The strike action, from midday until 2pm, marks the first national walkout by supermarket staff.

The protest follows an overwhelming vote by 96 per cent of First Union members, who argue that Woolworths’ proposed wage increases fail to meet the rising cost of living, while ongoing understaffing stresses employees.

Staff were also seeking better compensation for unpopular night and weekend shifts, including safe staffing levels which the workers say could reduce abuse and thefts in the stores.

First Union's Rudd Hughes told Pacific Mornings' William Terite that the strike action highlights deep frustrations with Woolworths after more than two weeks of fruitless negotiations.

Watch First Union's Rudd Hughes' interview below.

Previously known as Countdown, Woolworths is an Australian-owned New Zealand full-service supermarket chain and subsidiary of Woolworths NZ, itself a subsidiary of Australia's Woolworths Group.

First Union represents about 10,000 Woolworths employees across Aotearoa, covering 190 stores.

Hughes criticised Woolworths for failing to offer what the union says is a fair deal despite the company's strong profits and a $400 million rebranding operation across its stores.

"We've been asking for the living wage. They have really low-balled us with an offer that is less than 7 per cent over two years. And so where we're at at the moment is a distance apart in terms of the increase in the wages, but also we're quite a big distance apart in getting together something for safe staffing, which is a major issue for our members.

"Over 90 per cent of our members are saying short staffing is their biggest issue. The living wage is $27.80. Woolworths are saying they're not sustainable if they give us a decent wage increase.

Photo/supplied

"Now they have had a dip in their profits, but there's a reason for that. One, the cost of living crisis is biting. But secondly, they've gone ahead with an ill-advised refurb and rebranding from Countdown to Woolworths, which has cost them $400 million. Now that is a big chunk out of their profitability.

"So what they're saying in short is you guys at the floor who pack the shelves, who man the checkout are going to be paying for that."

Rather than increase the number of staff during peak hours, Woolworths has proposed a “multiskilling” approach.

While Woolworths frames the current wage offers as competitive, Hughes says the company’s offer falls short of what competitors provide.

The union wants Woolworths to justify why they believe their workers do not deserve a living wage or better working conditions.

Tuesday's strike action follows similar protests including a sticker and flyer campaign last month aimed at getting public support for the workers.

Hughes says they want the company to listen, and "we hope they will".

"This is a company that's taken literally billions of dollars out of the country, because they're Australian-owned, over the last 10 years.

"And to say that they're not sustainable, well, you know what's not sustainable? Our members of 75 per cent saying they can't meet their basic needs. That means clothing, food, rent, gas in the car, health.

"One of those things has to miss out in order for them to make ends meet each week. Now that is criminal," Hughes said.

Watch the floor manager from Marton Town’s Countdown supermarket, Kirsten Dinnan's interview talk about their store’s ‘quiet shopping hour’ for people with autism.

Woolworths says making sure its team is paid fairly has always been a priority for the company.

"We’ve brought a strong offer to the table in our discussions with FIRST Union," a company spokesperson said in a statement.

"This includes a wage rate increase for our store team between 6.8-10.1 per cent over two years, further to the 19 per cent increase we agreed in 2022. We are one of the leaders in pay for our sector.

"We offer a range of team benefits and since 2022 we’ve improved sick leave benefits, increased bereavement leave, increased primary caregiver leave to 12 full weeks of paid leave, and introduced secondary caregiver leave of 4 weeks.

"We've expanded the unsocial hours allowance for team working between 10pm-1am and improved our team discount so team get 5 per cent off on all grocery items, 10% off fresh and own brand products and two 10 per cent discount days per month.

“Additionally, we’re underway with a $45 million investment in making our stores safer including team safety cameras in all stores, trolley locks, fog cannons and double-entry gates.

"We’re also looking at bringing in duress alarms for those working in isolated areas.

“In the current challenging economic environment, our customers need us to provide affordable food. We have to balance increasing costs in our business so we can provide more value for our customers.

“Our stores will be open as usual and we will continue to engage with FIRST Union in good faith. We thank our customers for their understanding.”

Woolworths says negotiations are ongoing with the union.