KFC workers left out in the cold

Unite Union says workers at KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks have been told they won't be getting paid for any lost hours during last month's snow storm. Photo / supplied

Unite Union says it's infuriated workers at one of New Zealand's biggest companies won't get paid for hours lost during this week's snow storm, despite the company boasting a $25 million profit in the last financial year.

Christchurch Unite Union organiser Matt Jones said Restaurant Brands' stance was a further insult to an already undervalued workforce.

"The team are stuck with irregular hours at the best of times, with winter biting and many homes in Canterbury still earthquake damaged."

Restaurant Brands operates the KFC, Starbucks and Pizza Hut franchises and Jones said it wasn't the first time staff at those chains had been left out of pocket.

"When Canterbury was covered in snow last month Restaurant Brands didn't pay the staff their rostered hours," Jones said.

"We understand that the only option left to the staff is to use what annual leave they may have, which is truly disgusting" said Jones.

Restaurant Brands Limited operate the national franchise and boasted a $25.1 million profit in the last financial year. This was 26 per cent up on the prior year's takings.

"With all this spare cash lying around it's infuriating that such a big company has failed to look after its staff" said Jones.

Jones said he was waiting to hear back from the company.