I spent Saturday, Sunday and Monday up in Auckland hanging out at the picket of the Mangere distribution centre by striking workers who have been locked out by Progressive Enterprises, who own Foodtown, Woolworths, Countdown, Fresh Choice and Super Value supermarkets. Workers in Palmerston North and Christchurch have also been locked out.
The workers were nothing short of inspirational – this is the first strike action they have taken on this job, after anything up to 17 years of working there! The community support is massive – upwards of 90% of cars that drive past (and it’s a very busy road) are tooting and yelling messages of support.
Meanwhile, Progressive continue to spread lies – many of their stores have giant posters claiming the worker’s demands for fair pay and working conditions would be “bad for New Zealand”. They have paid for full page ads in daily newspapers, and they are paying scabs double the normal rate. Despite this, they are being hit hard – an analyst in the NZ Herald claimed the first 10 days of strike action could have cost Progressive up to 15% of their annual profit. Shelves in Progressive owned supermarkets are steadily being emptied and restocking is only happening on a small scale.
The striking workers need your support. You can make donations by ringing 0900 LOCK OUT ($20 automatic donation) or by deposit to BNZ 02-0200-0217968-00, account name National Distribution Union with the reference “Lock Out”. Alternatively, credit card donations can be made on the Shelf Respect campaign website.
Things are getting messier steadily – yesterday, three people were arrested in Lower Hutt trying to stop trucks getting into a makeshift distribution centre, while I have just recieved word that 8 (or possibly 10) people were just arrested at the Mangere distribution centre for trying to stop scab trucks from getting in. If you can, get to one of the distribution centre pickets, or join flying pickets of supermarkets.
For more information and up to date coverage, see the Shelf Respect campaign site, Aotearoa Indymedia or the Aucklands Burning blog (where the photos in this post are from).
September 8, 2006 at 1:52 pm
Go Asher Go keep up the good work
September 11, 2006 at 9:20 pm
Great pics! Will link soon as
September 23, 2006 at 3:51 pm
Are the protesters aware that while they were refusing to work, not only did they miss out on over $2 million worth of wages to feed their own kids, but other families not participating in ludicrous protests were struggling to feed their kids decent meals? Or is a few percent of wage increase over several years more important than normal people being able to feed their families? And they say supporters of capitalism are greedy……..
September 23, 2006 at 7:13 pm
Yet another person who doesn’t understand the difference between a strike and a lock out, I see…the workers were LOCKED OUT. This means they COULD NOT return to work until the company let them – and the company refused to let them unless they dropped their demands.
And from having talked to the workers themselves (something I encourage you to do, Abdul el Razir), I can tell you that what they have won will make a serious and positive difference in their lives.
September 23, 2006 at 9:46 pm
it just goes to show, then, that workers shouldnt demand anything from “big business”. what about employers rights? so much for the unions protecting the interests of the workers…wouldnt it make more sense to reach an amicable agreement with management so that work could resume as usual without detrimental effects on all parties
September 24, 2006 at 6:04 pm
You talk about workers being locked out. I say lock the workers in…. a wall of glass! I can hear you but I cant see you…Im trapped behind glass! Realistically I think the workers were bargaining for a national agreement, they should be arguing for an international agreement. One where everyone gets paid the same. Unfortunately this wont happen as long as the right wing think tanks and middle class liberal agendas and media bias exists.
October 3, 2006 at 8:36 pm
Hey Asher (great site!)
Just wonderin’ if you’re gonna post an update on this story? I’d love to find out how this has developed since your original posts on the matter.
Cheers
-D
October 4, 2006 at 9:59 am
Sure, will do. Basically, the lockout is over and the workers are back at work, with some (but not all) of their demands achieved. Will post more detail in another post though, sometime in the next day or so
October 7, 2006 at 5:57 am
cool, cheers bro
-D