Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

No Reason To Underpay New Zealand Countdown Workers Any More

With confirmation that workers from Australia have been brought in to fill staffing gaps at Countdown supermarkets and within its supply chain, New Zealand workers alongside them should immediately receive pay parity and be remunerated at the significantly higher rates of their colleagues from across the ditch, FIRST Union said today.

"New Zealand Countdown workers are doing the same job as their Australian counterparts, experiencing the same health risk and high stress at work, but are paid substantially less, with many not even earning a living wage now due to the rising cost of living," said Ben Peterson, FIRST Union National Retail Organiser.

"It’s clear that the company can pay this rate, and that this is the effective going rate for the work required, so there is no reason why they shouldn’t be paying it to workers in New Zealand already."

"Perhaps a reason that a shortage exists in the first place is that many New Zealanders aren’t willing to put themselves at risk for these wages, and better pay could mean more people are interested in working for Countdown."

Countdown New Zealand declared $205m in profit for 2021, rising during the pandemic alongside rising prices in its supermarkets. A report due tomorrow from the Commerce Commission is expected to confirm that our supermarket industry is among the most profitable in the world and exorbitant prices are harming New Zealand consumers, Mr Peterson said.

"This gulf between the pay of local workers and Australians is the result of a decision to continue underpaying New Zealand workers," said Mr Peterson.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

For one New Zealand Countdown worker who wished to remain anonymous, the discrepancy between their own pay and the Australian workers was frustrating.

"They’re paying for their accommodation, their airfares and their living costs, but they aren’t even paying us a living wage," they said.

"It’s insulting that we’re expected to do the same work for less and there’s no reason it should be that way."

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.