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Auckland (The NZ Today)
Around 300 Ikea workers in Auckland are set to walk off the job this Labour Weekend, in what their union says will be the first strike at the retailer’s Sylvia Park store.
Workers First Union says members will strike from 12pm to 4pm on Saturday, with a picket line planned outside the store.
The union is warning shoppers to expect disruption during what is likely to be a busy long weekend.
Deputy secretary Rudd Hughes said about 95% of members voted in favour of strike action after months of negotiations with Ikea.
The dispute centres on three main issues: pay, weekend penalty rates and employee benefits.
The union says Ikea’s current pay offer is below inflation and argues New Zealand staff should receive higher weekend rates similar to those available to Ikea workers in Australia.
Hughes accused the company of treating New Zealand staff less favourably than workers overseas and said the union had been negotiating with Ikea for about eight months.
Workers First Union says it represents roughly 75% of Ikea’s Auckland workforce.
The union has also pointed to other large retailers, including Costco, H&M and The Warehouse, as examples of businesses that provide additional weekend payments.
If the action proceeds as planned, the four-hour strike could affect customer service at the Sylvia Park store during one of the year’s busiest shopping weekends.
The union says staffing inside the store could be significantly reduced while members are on the picket line.
Ikea has not publicly released a response to the union’s claims or the planned strike.
The strike is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, from midday until 4pm.
Source: Workers First Union and NZ Herald reporting.
