Urgent Press Release: National Distribution Union/ Engineering Printing and Manufacturing Union

Monday, 28 August 2006

500 supermarket distribution workers have been locked out for refusing to give up their claim for a national agreement with their multi-billion dollar Australian employer, says the National Distribution Union.

National Secretary Laila Harré said that Progressive, who own Countdown, Woolworths and Foodtown supermarkets, is trying to break the national solidarity of workers who are seeking one rate of pay for the work they do. There is currently a gap of up to $2.50 an hour between the four sites.

National Secretary Laila Harré explains that the lockout meant that Progressive will not let workers return to work even if they chose to.

Ms Harre said that the workers and their family will now require urgent financial support and that donations can be made to the National Distribution Union at 02-0200-0217968-00 with the reference "Supply Chain".

ENDS

Locations of distribution centres:

Auckland 80 Favona Rd Mangere,
Palmerston North Supply Chain on the corner of Mako mako Rd and Mihaere Dr,
Christchurch Supply Chains on Shands Rd and Columbo St.