Pak 'n Save

Seeking a new challenge, Blenheim couple Jo and Jack Stafford are moving south to take up the reins of Kaikoura New World.

The couple, who currently co-own Blenheim New World with Mrs Stafford's sister Andrea Boock and her husband Mark Elkington, take over the store from owners Jason and Joanne Williams on August 4. From then Ms Boock and Mr Elkington will be the sole owners of the Blenheim store.

"Kaikoura came up for sale and we just thought it was a great challenge and a great opportunity for us," Mrs Stafford said. The couple make the southward move at the end of the month, along with their 10-month-old baby daughter, Charlotte. "We're excited about moving to Kaikoura and getting involved in the community and being part of the small-town spirit," Mrs Stafford said.

The Williams', who have owned the Kaikoura New World for about five years, are moving to Timaru to take over the town's PAK'nSAVE store at the end of August. Six-and-a-half years ago the couple owned Kaikoura's Four Square for about 18 months.

At this point Mrs Stafford said she and her husband did not have any changes planned for the Kaikoura store and the takeover would not bring any noticeable differences for shoppers. "It will be really nice to eventually make our own mark on the store with maybe some different products, but for now it'll stay as is," she said.

Supermarkets are in the Boock family's blood as Mrs Stafford's parents, Bruce and Maria Boock, bought the Blenheim New World in 2000 before handing it on to their daughters and their husbands earlier this year. Mrs Stafford's paternal grandparents started the family in the industry with a Four Square supermarket in Dunedin in the 1970s. Much of her extended family on her father's side are either working or have worked in the family supermarkets or in supermarkets of their own. "So in my family, instead of falling out of cots, we fell out of shopping trolleys," she said.

Although the couple were looking forward to the move, Mrs Stafford said it would be tinged with a little sadness. "It will be sad to say goodbye to Blenheim with all our family and friends here. Also our staff, they have been a huge part of our lives."

The National Distribution Union has signed its second collective agreement at a Foodstuffs Pak n Save supermarket - this one at their flagship Lincoln Rd Pak 'n Save store, the largest supermarket in the country.

Pak 'n Save checkout cleaner and delegate Rina Waaka said that it was her worksite's first ever collective agreement and brings a substantial pay rise for her and her 400 co-workers in time for Christmas.

The National Distribution Union has signed its second collective agreement at a Foodstuffs Pak n Save supermarket - this one at their flagship Lincoln Rd Pak 'n Save store, the largest supermarket in the country.

Pak 'n Save checkout cleaner and delegate Rina Waaka said that it was her worksite's first ever collective agreement and brings a substantial pay rise for her and her 400 co-workers in time for Christmas.

Foodstuffs (Pak 'n Save, New World and 4 Square) is world famous in NZ for its ability to cut food prices and workers’ wages and conditions.

Sixth months ago, the Growth Unit started the Pay Up Pak 'n Save campaign at the largest supermarket in the southern hemisphere, Lincoln North in West Auckland.

"More was great enthusiasm and more than 200 workers have joined the union,” said G-unit organiser, Ingrid Beckers. "Who wouldn't join the union when you know your store makes millions but pays you as little as $6.75 per hour?!"

Ingrid says that workers at the store have had enough of being paid less than Progressive workers and are fighting for a base rate of $12.70 (pay parity with Pak ‘n Save Upper Hutt), the abolition of discriminatory youth rates, long service allowances, free uniforms and secure hours.

Though it has taken three months to get around the table, negotiations have been set for the 14th and 15th of November. The dedicated core of activists and delegates have decided that the only way to win is to be active and staunch at work.
Meanwhile in Dunedin, the NDU has been holding pickets at the local Pak ‘n Save where Ken Young is organising for their first collective agreement. The company is refusing to include wages in the agreement.