130 jobs on the line as Woolworths considers shifting customer care centre to Australia
The Workers First union says the proposal prioritises profit over people and would have been "crushing to hear".
Woolworths is considering shifting its customer care centre from New Zealand to Australia, which could result in the loss of around 130 jobs, according to union Workers First. The company announced the proposal during a meeting on Tuesday, expressing concern over the potential impact on staff. A Woolworths spokesperson stated that they are working with affected employees to explore redeployment opportunities, while acknowledging the proposal's detrimental effect on the team.
Workers First deputy secretary Rudd Hughes criticized the decision, arguing that it prioritises profit over people and will disproportionately affect solo parents and other employees who struggle to find comparable employment in New Zealand. He warned that if implemented, the move would lead to worse customer service for Kiwis, as Australian staff may lack local knowledge and experience.
Woolworths New Zealand reported $8.49 billion in sales in the year to June, with earnings increasing from $150 million to $163 million.
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