This time around, striking workers plan to host a barbecue and perform a haka at 2pm outside the store, with a staff picket running from 1pm to 4pm.
Ikea has been approached for comment.
Ikea workers on the picket line in Auckland last Saturday, October 24. Photo / Workers First Union
Union national organiser Jas Giri said weekend pay rates were a minimum expectation in Ikea’s Australian stores.
“It’s simply unfair for Ikea to deny workers weekend rates and treat Aotearoa like a second-class country where locals don’t deserve the basics because we have weak labour laws.
“Ikea sell themselves as a progressive company, but there’s been nothing progressive about their approach to their first major bargaining sessions with New Zealanders.”
Employee and union bargaining member Sally Huang, who is set to leave her job in frustration, said during negotiations that four people had resigned since bargaining meetings began.
“That’s including myself and the HFRD [Home Furnishing Retail and Design] manager. When we opened, we had over 500 employees, now we’re down to roughly 400,” she wrote to the company during negotiations.
“The way I see it, Ikea is a sinking ship with its crew members getting off faster than you can replace them. We are in dire straits. And the only way to fix this is by providing a better work environment, starting with fair pay.”
Ikea employee and union bargaining member Sally Huang says she is leaving her role at the company in frustration. Photo / Workers First Union
Last week an Ikea spokesperson said they valued the “important contribution” workers made to the company.
“Employment conditions at Ikea are developed to reflect local market conditions, legislation and industry frameworks in each of the 32 countries where we operate.
“While there may be similarities across Ikea markets, employment arrangements vary between countries to meet local needs and circumstances.”
Union deputy secretary Rudd Hughes earlier told the Herald members rejected a pay offer below the rate of inflation.
Hughes said other similar retail companies like Costco and H&M offer weekend penal rates – a higher hourly wage as compensation for working on Saturdays and Sundays – to employees.