Workers discuss Progressive's offer

More than 500 locked out distribution workers have been discussing an offer from Progressive Enterprises at meetings in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch.

The National Distribution Union said it was the first offer to come from the supermarket giant since the dispute began last month and arrived by fax yesterday.

It has been 19 days since union members went on 48-hour strike and were then locked out by Progressive, which operates Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown supermarkets.

The workers are calling for a pay rise and a national collective agreement to cover distribution centres in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch.

Union national secretary Laila Harre said Progressive's offer did not address the issues at the heart of the dispute.

She said it fell short of what was being sought and thought workers would want to spend some time talking about how to get the company to engage in what they see as proper bargaining.

Ms Harre said further steps were about to be taken.

- NEWSTALK ZB