Bunnings staff walk out once more

Workers at Bunnings in Mount Maunganui walked off the job for a fifth time earlier today, as the row over the store's rostering techniques continues to escalate.

The strike action lasted for two hours, between 10am and midday, and FIRST Union Bay of Plenty organiser Kirstin Miller says: 'Bunnings is insisting on locking workers into rolling rosters.


Bunnings workers downed tools earlier today - the fifth time the Mount Maunganui workforce have taken action. Photos; Bruce Barnard.

'At the moment, rosters are set with mutual agreement, but Bunnings wants the power to impose rosters whether workers agree or not.”

Although the company claims it does not intend to regularly change shift patterns, Kirstin questions why they insist on retaining the power to change rosters 'on a whim”.

'Rosters, by mutual agreement, allow fair give-and-take on both sides,” says Kirstin. 'But giving bosses the power to just impose rosters isn't fair.”

Bunnings Mount Maunganui union member Cathy Dodgson has worked for the company for eight years, and says that in her time at the store she has only said no to a roster change once.

Dodgson insists she had a genuine reason to do so and a right to do so under the collective agreement.

However, she is described as anxious about what will happen if Bunnings alters the collective agreement and removes her power to say no to a roster change.

Other members say they always try to be accommodating and, more often than not, they agree to changes, yet they value the power to say no.

'Working people lead lives outside of work,” adds Kirstin, 'so they need the power to say no from time to time.

'Bunnings has doubled its annual profit thanks to workers efforts, there's no need for a rolling roster system that gives the workers who create the profits no say over when they work.”

You may also like....

2 comments

Zero National

Posted on 27-11-2015 13:33 | By Merlin

Damn National Government legislation Zero hours contracts produce no stability in life for families.I feel for those workers who want to know where and when they stand.Mega 10 for me.


Overit

Posted on 28-11-2015 09:15 | By overit

Yes Fred I am with you. I wish fellow Kiwis would boycott Bunnings to support its workers.


Leave a Comment


You must be logged in to make a comment.