Bunnings staff in the Bay are walking off the job today as part of a national strike against the Australian-owned hardware giant.

Staff from stores in Mount Maunganui, Te Puke, Whakatane and Rotorua are taking part in the national strike action.

Bunnings staff are striking in response to proposed changes to their hours and pay. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Earlier this month staff at the Mount Maunganui store protested against the company's proposed changes to their hours and pay.

FIRST Union's Bay of Plenty organiser Kirstin Miller says Bunnings is proposing a collective agreement that will hand bosses the power to chop and change start and finish times without the worker's agreement.

'While the company is claiming it doesn't intent to make ‘wholesale changes', if this is true then why are they proposing a collective agreement that will do just that?

'Workers in the Bay aren't going to let Bunnings lock them into a one-sided agreement.”

Kirstin says workers need certainty.

'When your work life becomes insecure it can undermine everything from your family life to your sporting commitments.

'The workers who are striking today are calling on Bunnings to offer an agreement that respects their rights. They want an agreement that's fair.”

Following the first protest this month, Bunnings delivered a quick response to staff who walked off the job.

Company officials claim they have put forward an 'industry leading proposal” which covers wage rates and rosters.

The proposal forms part of their current negotiations covered by Individual Employment agreements and First Union.

Bunnings say their offer will guarantee that team members will receive an absolute minimum increase of four per cent this year, with a further guaranteed minimum of two per cent to be paid next year.