Strikes put produce supplies under pressure

Strikes put produce supplies under pressure

Media Release from the National Distribution Union

October 11, 2008

Workers at Turners and Growers walked off the job this morning and will continue a series of lightening strikes until they get a reasonable pay offer.

Karl Andersen of the NDU says he expects the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables will come under pressure in the next few days as a result of the action.

“A lot of the fruit and veggies sold in Auckland goes through the Turners and Growers distribution system,” he says.

“The workers who keep the flow of produce moving through to consumers are poorly paid and have tried everything possible to get a fair deal but their employer will not budge.”

Mr Andersen says he will be talking with other unions involved in the fruit and vegetable supply chain about actions they can take to support his members and increase the incentive for the company to come up with a decent pay offer.

"If Turners and Growers think this dispute will go away if they just ignore it they are wrong. These workers are very serious about wanting a fair deal and the NDU is going to put whatever resources are required into getting one for them."

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