IKEA announced it’s recruiting 85 additional workers for logistics and food services while introducing evening shifts for restocking shelves.
This will bring IKEA’s total New Zealand workforce to 561.
IKEA is also offering entry-level staff $29 per hour, rising to $31 upon advancing to the next level. Staff can also access a subsidised transport programme with 75% off commuting costs, plus five weeks’ leave, subsidised meals, and a staff discount.
“The response from New Zealanders since opening has been incredible, and we’re proud to be growing our team to meet that demand while staying true to our values,” New Zealand people and culture manager Lauren Clegg said.
“Opening in a new market has its share of challenges and learnings for our team. We’re committed to listening, improving and supporting our co-workers along the way,” Clegg added. “By investing in competitive pay, meaningful benefits and everyday support, we want people to choose to grow their careers with us as we continue building IKEA in Aotearoa together.”
For Rudd Hughes, retail secretary for Workers First Union, IKEA’s offer was a strong one.
The union plans to launch collective bargaining for IKEA staff next week. However, Hughes noted the union had already engaged with IKEA before the store even opened.
He said IKEA has clearly committed to paying wages at or above the living wage. “And so, although they didn’t start off with a living wage, they’ve now gone to the living wage… we’ll be looking to improve that, but also not just on the wages, but also other conditions.”
“Other New Zealand-based brands or Australian-based brands like Woolworths, Foodstuffs, Briscoes, and Warehouse, they’re all lagging behind and lagging significantly.”
Hughes said Kiwi businesses must step up and pay workers enough to truly live in society.
“The living wage should be the minimum for any worker in this country, but particularly retail workers as well. We have a large number of retail workers in this country.”
Hughes said the union would use IKEA as a benchmark in negotiations with other employers.