Financial support growing for striking supermarket workers

The groundswell of support for locked-out supermarket distribution workers appears to be growing, with some large individual donations arriving over the past two days, unions say.

Meanwhile, Progressive Enterprises - the Australian-owned company that owns Woolworths, Foodtown and Countdown - appears to have settled a dispute with about 4200 in-store retail staff today, but a standoff remains between the company and 500 distribution workers.

The distribution workers went on strike three weeks ago to protest their right to negotiate a national collective agreement for the centres in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch.

The company refused to negotiate a national agreement, locking out workers who have been feeling the pinch with no wages since the strike started.

Council of Trade Unions secretary Carol Beaumont this morning said two $5000 donations and a $10,000 donation had been received from Australia and New Zealand.

"Collections in Wellington are averaging over $1000 daily, and $3000 was raised during two hours of collecting in Auckland this week," Ms Beaumont said.

She said she hoped Progressive Enterprises was taking note of the level of public concern about its negotiation tactics.

Progressive Enterprises was today not commenting on the issue.

Christchurch distribution workers plan to do their own fundraising by holding a picket-line car boot sale tomorrow morning.

Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) spokesman Ged O'Connell said most of the 150 Christchurch staff had families to look after.

"The car boot sale is a really practical way in which they can put some food on the table," he said.

He said it had been heartening to see anyone from pensioners to business people handing financial and other donations over at the picket line in recent days.

"Every tin of baked beans and every supportive message is really appreciated," he said.

- NZPA