Retailers relaxed about likely further strikes

Press, 21 November 1987, Page 2

Retailers relaxed about likely further strikes

By

RICHARD CRESSWELL

Christchurch retailers appear unconcerned about likely industrial action by shop assistants during the lucrative preChristmas period. Some of the city’s shops were closed on Monday and Tuesday after shop employees attending a stop-work meeting went on a 48-hour strike.

A spokesman for the shop employees’ union in the retail (non food) award has warned of further disruption during the pre-Christmas period, and workers covered by the award will be called to a meeting at the Winter Garden in Christchurch on December 2. However, the city’s

firms seem unmoved by the plans. A spokesman for J. Ballantyne and Company said the previous strike had little impact and very few workers had gone out “If more employees go on strike at Christmas time it could mean difficulties.” He said the company would face that when the time came. The D.I.C. store manager, Mr Harvey Bray, said only one worker had gone out in support of the strike during the previous action, and it was too early to tell what effect a call for further action would have on the company during the preChristmas period. The retail manager for

Mrs Popes, Mr Athol Mitchell, said the week’s action had been confusing and staff had not known what was going on.

He said all but four staff had remained on duty during the strike and he expected a Christmas strike would cause few problems. Shop employees’ union delegates will meet this week and non-food workers ip Timaru are expected to meet on December 3. In other retail award activity the grocery and supermarket award talks are expected to reconvene in Auckland on Friday, and the butchers’ award talks will resume again on November 30 in Christchurch.