Delegate spotlight

Nathan’s been working at McDonalds in Invercargill since 2017. When he last came back after a break, his co-workers quickly elected him as their delegate as everyone recognised him as someone who even at 27 had the experience to give good advice, and the courage to talk to management about problems and get them resolved. 

Health and safety problems have been a big focus - Nathan’s also been elected as the site Health and Safety rep and has already made some big changes. “Burns, lack of first aid, that kind of thing were always a concern” though now problems are entered in Peoplesafe and resolutions are worked on. Nathan’s biggest recent victory in this sphere was finally getting systems changed so that the back fire exit was now clear and accessible. “It’s crazy that it’s taken this long!”

Like workers elsewhere in the sector, Invercargill members come to Nathan struggling with getting enough hours to pay the bills. “They keep hiring new people instead of increasing existing staff hours… prices, everything's going up - groceries, petrol, food… and now we’re seeing more people turn to afterpay and private loans that then make things even worse. Times are tough.”

After leading a successful strike and picket at the store last year, Nathan's now looking to the election for some hope. “They’ve been doing horrific things, job cuts, in education - No more National!”