Young Labour Supports Locked-Out Workers

Young Labour expresses its support for the National Distribution Union (NDU) and their fight for pay and allowance parity between the three distribution centres and their attempts to negotiate a nationwide collective agreement for their workers.

“It is unacceptable for a company to refuse to negotiate fairly with its workers,” said Jonathan Jones – spokesperson for Young Labour.

“We support those workers who are willing to return to work but refuse to give up their rights to collectively bargain in order to do so.”

Young Labour has joined all unions in supporting the National Distribution Union (NDU) in their fight for pay and allowance parity between the three.

“When Progressive took over in New Zealand, they closed their distribution centres, moved them, then rehired staff on lower pay and abolished their allowances. However they were unable to find a new location for the Palmerston North centre and therefore were unable to cut the pay of those workers legally.”

“This lockout is designed to break the collective bargaining power that unions are there to provide for workers.”

“Because of the lock-out, many workers are now struggling to provide the day to day necessities for their families and it is shameful for Progressive to hurt some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable workers in this way.”

“We urge anyone who is disgusted by this abuse of economic power to help out those workers in need by donating $20 via calling 0900 LOCK OUT or 0900 5625 688.”

Members of Young Labour have joined pickets, organised fundraising activities and collected money for the locked-out workers across the country.

“Progressive operates the Foodtown, Countdown, and Woolworths branded supermarkets, a boycott would force them to offer a fair deal to their workers. We hope the community will support these locked-out workers by not shopping at Progressive stores until that happens,” Mr Jones concluded.

ENDS

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