'Unusual' mediation resuming in supermarket dispute

It is hoped an "unusual step" taken by an employment court judge yesterday will help find resolution to the stand-off between supermarket giant Progressive Enterprises and nearly 600 distribution workers.

The workers have been on strike for a week, and Progressive has implemented a "lock-out" since Monday.

National Distribution Union (NDU) seeks national pay rates across the company's four distribution centres, in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch, and a national collective agreement to be drawn up.

Mediation between the parties broke down on Wednesday.

NDU national secretary Laila Harre said mediation would resume today with a mediator and an Employment Court judge overseeing negotiations between the two parties.

Yesterday, Employment Court Chief Judge Graeme Colgan ordered the parties to mediate before a judge -- an unusual step Ms Harre said.

"The normal course of events is that parties are referred back to a Department of Labour mediator.

"We are very grateful for the order providing for a judge as we hopes it puts a level of formality and seriousness on proceedings and keeps Progressive at the table."

Ms Harre said she hoped today's mediation would address the workers' claims.

Judge Colgan yesterday reserved his decision on a request from NDU and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union for an interim injunction to stop outside parties packing goods for distribution to supermarkets.

Ms Harre said the unions had organised "flying picket lines" which were moving around, targeting supermarkets where they believed stand-in workers had been employed.

The striking workers were feeling the pinch but had received generous donations from other unions, and members of the public, Ms Harre said.

They had also been told by Work and Income that some may be eligible for emergency benefits.

- NZPA