Woolworths staff have voted to strike, including some Alexandra employees, over low wage offers and unsafe staffing levels.

Nearly 10,000 FIRST Union members who work at Countdown and Woolworths stores nationwide have voted to take three initial strike actions.

FIRST Union noted the move comes following nine days of bargaining with their employer who is “ruling out” a living wage and is not negotiating productively with workers to address chronic understaffing issues.

Connie Prins, who is a union worker at Woolworths Alexandra, said it was not a traditional “down tools strike”, but more about raising social awareness regarding staffing conditions.

Connie Prins with the sticker staff will be sporting, calling for fairer wages and improved staffing conditions. PHOTO: Supplied

She said the move also addressed the need for increased rates for working weekends and evenings.

Connie is among those involved in the action who will be “proudly” wearing a sticker to raise community awareness.

She was one of the 10,000 staff who were surveyed nationwide and felt the store was understaffed.

FIRST Union national organiser for retail food Ross Lampert said more than 95 per cent of strike ballot respondents had voted to take three initial strike actions, with a smaller group of members across 10 key Woolworths stores nationwide also voting for an additional action. 

A list of the conditions FIRST Union members want Woolworths to address. IMAGE: Supplied

"This is a case of one of the largest and most profitable businesses in New Zealand deciding that their workers no longer deserve a fair deal and must accept whatever they put on the table - it just doesn’t work that way.

"Our members are seeking a living wage, safe staffing minimum standards and fair compensation for giving up family and leisure time to work understaffed night and weekend shifts."

The current Woolworths start rate is $24.93 per hour, while Costco is paying new staff $27 per hour and Foodstuffs sites like Pak’N’Save Kilbirnie have a start rate of $26 per hour.

FIRST Union's recent survey of supermarket workers showed that 90.8 per cent of respondents said their stores were understaffed, either "sometimes" (36.2 per cent) "regularly" (30 per cent) or "continuously" (24.7 per cent).

Woolworths New Zealand managing director Spencer Sonn said the organisation had brought a strong offer to the table in its discussions with FIRST Union.

“We know we pay near the top of the market already and we offer a range of benefits to our team. We’re also investing over $45 million in making our stores safer for our team and customers.”

He said the supermarket was disappointed First Union has tabled claims on behalf of its members totalling nearly $1 billion over 1 year, which was unsustainable. 

“Our offer includes a 6.6 per cent 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.”

He said Woolworths would continue to engage with FIRST Union in good faith.