Workers clock 300 years on job

LONG HAUL: Countdown Masterton workers celebrate a combined 300 years of service between them. Carol Henson, bakery manager, 29 years (left); Mike Murray, seafood manager, 28 years; Christine Rowe, liquor manager, 27 years; Matt Kelly, meat manager, 26 years; Debbie Stewart, checkout supervisor, 25 years; Braden Crossan, store manager; Chrissy Swanson, Deli 2IC, 29 years; Lynne Russell, price integrity supervisor, 28 years and Judy Fannin, service and admin manager, 39 years.

A dedicated group of Masterton supermarket workers has clocked up almost three centuries of service among them.

Countdown Masterton hosted a morning tea to honour its 10 staff members who had worked at the store for 25 years or more - making a total of close to 300 years' employment.

"That's a decent whack of service," said store manager Braden Crossan.

"We've got 120 workers at the Masterton store - so to have nearly a 10th of our staff do over 25 years is a big achievement."

Celebrating their 25-plus years were produce managers Carol Henson, Matt Kelly, Mike Murray, Christine Rowe and Chrissy Swanson; service and admin manager Judy Fannin; price integrity supervisor Lynne Russell; and checkout supervisors Jean Warren (manager), Lyn White and Debbie Stewart - who celebrated her 25th anniversary at Countdown on Tuesday.

Mr Crossan said Countdown Masterton endeavoured to create "a fun, positive environment" for its workers.

"Once you've been going [at the store] for 25 years, you create real bonds of friendship," he said.

"Plus, these guys have got so much experience to offer. It makes our business stronger and gives us stability."

At the morning tea, Ms Stewart was presented with a cake and a gift from her coworkers to mark 25 in the store - and on the same checkout, even.

She said she most enjoyed meeting "all the lovely people" she has worked with over the years, and seeing the young people she has trained on the check outs grow up.