JB Hi-Fi staff at the company's Wellington store will take strike action today from 1pm as part of a Unite Union campaign to win higher wages for retail workers. The strike will be the first ever industrial action at one of the company's stores in Australia or New Zealand in over 27 years of the company's history.

The Unite Union has been negotiating with JB Hi-Fi management for over six months for a collective agreement but the Australian bosses are refusing to raise wages for staff this year.

Most JB Hi-Fi workers are paid $13.50, just 75 cents above the minimum wage yet the Australian electronic retail giant JB Hi-Fi's net profit after tax is expected to be A$117 million to A$120 million this year.

"It's absolutely ridiculous JB Hi-Fi has told employees in New Zealand they shouldn't expect a pay rise this year when over in Australia JB Hi-Fi workers earn nearly twice as much as New Zealand workers," said Unite Union organiser Omar Hamed.

"Union members plan to disrupt operations at the Wellington store this afternoon and will continue industrial action at stores across the country until the company offers a wage increase to members", said Mr. Hamed.

"The CEO of JB Hi-Fi was paid A$2.9 million in the last year so the company cannot plead poverty to its employees who have not had a pay rise in two years. Union members are making a stand not just for themselves but for all low paid retail workers in New Zealand," concluded Mr. Hamed.

Unite members in JB Hi-Fi are taking action from 1pm and will be
picketing their store at the corner of Willis Street and Lambton Quay in central Wellington.

View TV3's coverage of the strike here

Omar Hamed is available for comment on 029-455-5789 or email omar@unite.org.nz