NRT has a post entitled “Don’t shop at Bunnings“.
Apparently, I should show my disapproval by not shopping there.
I love his reasoning.
In Australia, it pays well above the minimum wage – NZ$18.44 / hour, which will increase to NZ$19/hour in July (the Australian minimum wage is A$13.74 or NZ$15.80 / hour). The reason for this difference? In Australia, they stil[sic] have unions, whereas in New Zealand collective bargaining was stifled by National’s Employment Contracts Act.
Given the ECA is ancient history, I suspect that the real reason that Bunnings New Zealand offers such low wages is that there are people who will work for them. If someone offered me those wages in a contract, I’d look at the guy, laugh and walk out the door. The question is, why have their employees not done that?
Since there is not a single person working at Bunnings who is forced to work there, and I strongly suspect that most could quite happily work in Australia if they so wished, I will decline the offer of a boycot and continue to enjoy the low, low prices that Bunnings provides. Maybe next time I’m there I’ll ask someone what he’s paid.
Who knows, maybe he’ll change my mind?
Comments on: "Don’t Work at Bunnings" (3)
No, I wouldn’t shop at Bunnings – they’re importing cheap rubbish, pushing long-standing Kiwi house-hold names out of business. Mitre 10, Hammer Hardware, your local, they’re suffering.
Low wages isn’t the big reason for boycotting Bunnings.
Hey scrubone, obviously you dont have a clue.
Ask any tradesman if Bunnings has low low low prices ! Crap On average their prices are always higher. The only reason they shop there is because it has a huge range. But contrary to their mind numbing adverts thre prices are actually shit. You’ve been effectivly brainwashed you numb nuts.
Clearly, a regular reader!
What gave me away?
If I’m buying significant items, I tend to shop around and make use of the 15% discount – and have claimed that from Bunnings on one occasion.
Usually (in spite of my comment above) I go to the most convenient hardware store. There are about 4 different ones that I might go to depending on how far I can be bothered going and where I am at the time.