Woolworth staff at 190 stores strike for two hours Tuesday.
Photo: Supplied
Woolworths supermarket staff are taking their first nationwide strike today because the company is resisting efforts to pay a living wage, their union says.
Members from more than 190 stores will walk off the job from 12pm until 2pm Tuesday.
First Union spokesperson Rudd Hughes said workers were also concerned about the rising levels of abuse directed at staff in stores.
Woolworths has been approached for an updated comment on Tuesday.
In August, Woolworths managing director Spencer Sonn told RNZ the supermarket already paid near the top of the market and offered a range of benefits to staff.
“Our offer includes a 6.6 percent increase for our store team on average over two years, and we have a genuine focus on helping our team have long and meaningful careers with us.
“In the current economic environment we have to balance increasing costs and providing value for customers, but making sure our team earns more is also a key priority for us.”
Woolworths would continue to engage with First Union in good faith, he said.