Solidarity action with 20 days locked out 500 Wooly's workers in NZ : Melbourne Indymedia

Between 4-6pm today, Wednesday September 13th; outside the Safeway / Big W entrance corner of Lonsdale and Swanston Streets City 20 unionists (Union Solidarity, CFMEU, MUA, IWW and community activists (Socialists of all sorts!) combined in solidarity with the NZ 20+ days locked out 500 workers.

ETU unionists marched down with flags and joined us at 5pm which was a great boost and they helped leaflet and talk to passers by.

Well done to all who showed up and distributed a thousand leaflets !

Below is the text of the leaflet distributed today.

This dispute is at a crutial stage and needs our support. If Woolworths get away with this anti union behavior in NZ they will be trying it on here next!

WOOLWORTHS - THE LOW PAY PEOPLE

Shame Woolworths Shame! - Support the locked out distribution workers in New Zealand!

Woolworths Australia own outlets such as Safeway and Big W. In New Zealand they own a company called Progressive Enterprises. Over 500 Progressive employees in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch Distribution Centres have been locked out of their workplaces by Woolworths until they agree to abandon their claim for a national collective agreement.

Woolworths Australia is the largest retailer in Australasia and recently announced a 24.3% increase in profits of $1.2 billion dollars (A$1.1 billion) and expects sales to increase by 8-12% next year. New Zealand distribution workers earn around 35% less than their Australian co-workers despite food prices being generally lower in Australia. The CEO of Woolworths Australia, Roger Corbett, takes home an outrageous $A8.5 million a year. This is 340 times more than a full time checkout operator.

The lockout follows the indefinite suspension of workers after they commenced a 48 hour strike over two weeks ago. The workers are claiming a measly 8% wage increase and allowance parity between the four distribution centres.

Woolworths have decided to take on these workers in an attempt to keep their pay at poverty levels. Say no poverty wages in retail and distribution. Say no to greedy employers attacking our right to collectively bargain.

Support the locked out workers by not shopping at any Woolworths outlets.

Woolworths Australia own brands including Safeway, Food For Less, Dick Smith Electronics and PowerHouse, Tandy, Woolworths Liquor, BWS, First Estate, Dan Murphy’s, Plus Petrol, BIG W, Woolworths Ezy Banking, Woolworths HomeShop and GreenGrocer.

We are asking all customers to please consider not shopping at any of these outlets.

Also send a message to the Progressive Enterprises Managing Director, Marty Hamnett. Tell him you will not be shopping at places owned by Woolworths. marty.hamnett@progressive.co.nz

For more information about the campaign visit http://www.shelfrespect.org

http://www.unite.org.au

Comment:
Where is the SDA the official "union" which is reported to have ordered the workers back to work ? Why have they waited so long with all their resources and still not taken any solidarity action or raised and sent solidarity funds ? Will the National Union of Workers do the right thing instead ? So many questions come to mind like When and where is the solidarity in Sydney, Brisbane, etc. If these workers can win it will raise morale and fight back of other NZ workers and in turn protect us here who lets face it face cuts to our wages and condition by Howard's Bosses.

More reports & photographs to come.