15 Jun 2018

Burger chain's staff strike over low pay

11:18 am on 15 June 2018

About 200 Burger King staff are striking over low pay, working hours and health and safety across the country today.

Burger King signage

Burger King signage Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel

Unite union said 92 percent of its members voted to take strike action after nearly a year of negotiations had been unsuccessful.

National secretary and lead negotiator Gerard Hehir said Burger King's salaried managers were among the lowest paid workers.

"What we've found is that increasingly these workers are expected to do unpaid hours, go without their breaks...so in fact the hours they work mean they actually get paid less than the minimum wage."

The fast food chain sent through updated responses which would be looked over, Mr Hehir said.

Further strikes were possible.

A Burger King spokesperson said negotiations had ran smoothly and it was disappointed with the union's decision.

All of its workers were paid more than minimum wage, it said.

It said no stores would close because of the strike actions today.