Bunnings Warehouse has today agreed to pay its New Zealand staff the living wage, in what is being described by union members as the "first major win" of a concerted campaign across the retail sector.
Retail workers at Bunnings Warehouse will now be paid $20.55 per hour - a base pay rise of $2 per hour, which at 40 hours per week amounts to $80 extra.
The pay rise for Bunnings' workers comes off the back of FIRST Union's "Worth It" living wage campaign.
FIRST Union Retail, Finance and Commerce Division Secretary Tali Williams says the pay rise sets a new precedent for other retail companies.
"This is a massive victory for retail workers in New Zealand. Bunnings has set a new bar for what retail workers deserve to be paid," Ms Williams said.
"This negotiated offer from Bunnings will change workers lives. It recognises the Living Wage is a necessity to ensure working people are thriving not struggling to survive."
"It's a major win, these 4000-odd workers are worth it and today validates that."
Members will vote on the pay offer over the coming weeks.
"We initiated the current wage offer to provide market leading entitlements and are pleased to be in a position to begin consulting with our team," Jacqui Coombes, Bunnings HR Director said in a statement.
She said the company had recently increased paid parental leave to 12 weeks, and doubled leave for the non-primary carer to two weeks.
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