Bunnings staff speak out

Bunnings staff at Mount Maunganui are taking to the streets this afternoon in protest at the company's proposed changes to their hours and pay.

The strike action began at 1pm today as FIRST Union Retail and Finance Secretary Maxine Gay accused the home improvement store of instilling an 'insecure work model”.


Bunnings staff outside the Mount Maunganui store today. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Employee Cathy Dodgeson has worked at the Mount Maunganui store for eight years, and including her time in Australia, has worked for the home improvement conglomerate for 15 years.

'We're out here sticking up for our rights,” explains Cathy. 'Bunnings want to mess about with our hours, they want to mess about with our pay and we don't think it is right.

'We are here to fight for our rights.

'With the hours, they could work you 20 hours one week and then 16 the next. Then they can change your days on you. We have people with families and kids. They need regular hours for day care and things like that.

'Bunnings are not going to allow us to do that if they change it to the way they want to.”

Cathy says only non-union members are still working.

The protestors are hoping today's demonstration will make Bunnings management staff come to the negotiation table.

'We want to be given a fair go and to be listened to,” adds Cathy. 'We want fair pay for what we do and we want to know what we are doing from week-to-week.

'We want Bunnings to come to negotiations because they won't sit down with us at the moment.”

Cathy says the protest is in response to months of failed talks.

When contacted by SunLive, the Mount Maunganui branch of Bunnings refused to comment on the strike action.

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6 comments

Blame the Government

Posted on 03-09-2015 14:12 | By Merlin

This is probably the result of the stupid zero hours legislation by the stupid Government


Overit

Posted on 03-09-2015 15:21 | By overit

This is a shocking state of affairs. People have bills to pay, and children, so they need certainty of hours and designated times. I will be buoycotting Bunnings until this is sorted. Good luck people and fight for your rights!


Aussies!

Posted on 03-09-2015 19:25 | By Savi

The Australian Banks are shafting their staff in NZ as well, the unions need to really look at what is going on.


Val.M

Posted on 03-09-2015 21:12 | By Val.M

I hope Bunnings do the right think and look after their workers and really value them. If they don't then I am not interested in going there any more!!!!


Don't disagree with industrial action. but...

Posted on 03-09-2015 23:23 | By groutby

It should never be favourably looked on to have "official" corporate apparel on in a public street, without doubt management will have the right to discipline for this, how that "pans out" who knows..be enthusiastic guys but remember who actually employs you...right or wrong....


ZERO hours with at wist

Posted on 04-09-2015 12:32 | By The Caveman

The old ZERO hours trick with a new twist. We want you to turn up at 9am, but if its a slow day, we will tell you to go home a 9.30am..............


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