A group of Dunedin fast-food workers joined others around New Zealand and went on strike at the weekend demanding better pay and conditions.
Workers from the fast-food chain, Wendy’s, combined with Unite Union supporters outside the Dunedin restaurant in Andersons Bay Rd on Saturday after collective agreement negotiations with the company broke down.
Unite Union organiser Sonja Mitchell said the negotiations failed for a number of reasons.
The main areas of contention were a living wage for supervisors and a reduction in break times.
"Ideally, we would like a living wage for all workers but we think at least the people who are responsible for opening the store and closing the store."
A common perception of fast-food work was that it was easy, which was not the case, Ms Mitchell said.
"They’re trying to cut back breaks to 10 minutes but we want them kept at 15 minutes which is what most people get because this is hard work these guys do."
No-one from Wendy’s Dunedin or the Auckland head office was available to speak to the Otago Daily Times on Saturday.
