Source: Workers First Union
Around 300 IKEA workers in Auckland will walk off the job on Saturday after voting overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.
Workers say the company refuses to provide weekend penalty rates as they do in other countries like Australia, and they have rejected a “low ball” pay offer and voted to strike, with 95% voting in favour.
They will withdraw their labour on Saturday and picket outside the company’s Auckland store.
WHEN:
12:00pm – 4:00pm on Saturday 24 October
WHERE:
Outside IKEA, 10 Clemow Drive, Mount Wellington, Auckland
WHY:
Rudd Hughes, Deputy Secretary at Workers First Union, said that 95% of voting IKEA members were in favour of strike action, and had rejected a pay offer below the rate of inflation. Other issues include paid insurance, discretionary leave, and union inductions for new employees. The union has now been bargaining with IKEA since February – an “unacceptable” eight months of negotiations, Mr Hughes said.
“There is no reason why IKEA workers in New Zealand should have to accept a worse deal than IKEA workers in any other country,” said Mr Hughes.
“IKEA came to this country trumpeting their “progressive” attitude concerning industrial relations, but talk is cheap and so is their offer to workers.”
“IKEA are a multi-billion-dollar, multinational company and the refusal to pay penal rates in New Zealand, while they pay them in Australia, shows that the company are here for cheap labour and are treating New Zealanders like second class citizens.”
“Not only is IKEA the most valuable furniture retailer brand in the world, it’s also among the leading retail brands globally, valued at around $45 billion. They can settle this deal easily and are choosing not to.”
“Retail workers deserve to be recognised for the work they do, and weekend work should attract a top rate because of the time people have to spend away from their families and friends to earn their wages.”
“IKEA need to step up and show they value New Zealand workers in the same way they value Aussie workers.”