Supermarket picket in Porirua
Workers and supporters picketed Countdown Porirua today. The picketed was scheduled for last weekend but was cancelled due to real bad weather.
Around 40 people picketed the supermarket for 2 hours. Workers even came outside for a few minutes during their breaks. The bosses were running after them telling them they are not allowed to wear Countdown clothing on the picket line! Leaflets were handed out to shoppers and pretty much every car tooted in support of the workers.
I talked to some workers about how things were going at the moment. I was told they fully support the strikers in Palmerston North, Auckland and Christchurch. Because the Distribution Centres are shut the company is using supermarkets instead. Currently 40-50 trucks come to Porirua Countdown each day (normally it's only 20). Stock is getting real low and gaps in the shelves are filled with toilet paper. The workers don't get on with the bosses but they have been singing up lots of people with the NDU and are sticking together.
The 40 day negotiation time of supermarket workers is running out on Sunday 9th September. From that day on industrial action is also an option for workers.
The union is really strong at this particular Countdown. 80% of the workers are members of the National Distribution Union which will give them strength needed to win a decent pay increase.
A note to Wellington lefties
Where are you? There is a full-on industrial dispute going on in Palmerston North, Auckland and Christchurch (the biggest in years!) and workers at supermarkets are organising and are taking action. This was the third supermarket picket this month (one in Kilbirnie and Upper Hutt) but the Wellington left doesn't seem to care. We are only good at not turning up! Anarchists, Communists and Socialists - come out and support the workers!
Related
Comments
Re: Supermarket picket in Porirua
Where were we Wellington lefties?
Some of us were late, due to other factors.
There was also the anti Zionist protest same day, begining the march at 1.pm. which clashed.
After some thought I chose to go to the NDU thing which I thought was from 11 to 2pm, so got on the bus and the train and arrived at 1.45, after doing the regular Spark sale. The Porirua NDU picket had a good feel to it and there was just heaps of public support,; more toots than I have ever heard before.
There's an NDU trip going up to Palmy on Wednesday and another picket in Wainuiomata after that.
Re: Supermarket picket in Porirua
misprint, I meant 12.45pm.
Auckland left united at Favona picket
and good turn out today at antiwar march too. Things looking up for the class and the movement, and left co operation too.
Kia kaha
Joe
Re: Supermarket picket in Porirua
Way 2 go people