Listen Now: 
Download AudioMore than 700 workers at Countdown’s distribution warehouses are on strike today after the supermarket chain lowballed their wage offer.
First Union transport and logistics secretary Jared Abbott says they’re seeking an increase to keep up with the cost of living, which is running at 4.9 percent.
He says they’ve worked through the pandemic without a break, which the company has tried to use to its advantage.
“They thought the workers wouldn’t go on strike during the pandemic and they have really lowballed these guys in wage negotiations. The company has had two years of record profits during the pandemic. Even the latest lockdown has meant a 7.5 percent increase supermarket sales and then they turn up to wage negotiations and offer these guys about half of what the cost of living has gone up this year,” Mr Abbott says
He says Countdown would rather send its 14 percent increase in profits to its Australian shareholders rather than share it with its largely Māori and Pasifika workforce.
RELATED NEWS
