Do your research before you comment.

Redundancy compensation is not a mandatory requirement for employment contracts. It is the exception rather than the norm, since they are very expensive for the company. Have a look at the Department of Labour's website. http://www.dol.govt.nz/er/ending/redundancy/index.asp All you people saying "do not sign" - do your research before you comment about employees rights.

To all those of you stating DONT SIGN, how easy is it for you to say that while sitting at your desk working away. The Unions are fudging the truth and anyone who actually understands employment law would laugh at this. Firstly they are being offered another job so there's no redundancy, so no $5000 for anyone. Secondly the new company are not obligated to any one that held a contract with the old owners and can legally tell them all to bugger off and re advertise their jobs if they so choose to, the fact they have saved the company and offered most of them a job should be celebrated. Unions are a hangover of the 50's and that was about the last time they actually held any power or influence, this is a beat up from the Labour Party no more no less. If you don't like rich people no problem but don't slag people for having what you do not aspire to or will never have due to lack of will power and detirmination.

Funny. When faced by a smiling cashier at Whitcoulls, I suggested that she must have received a good deal. Her reply was that she and her colleagues were 'happy campers', non-unionised and looking forward to working under their quality New Zealand employer. This reinforces my views that (a) unions are too often a blight on our landscape and (b) not much of what we read can be trusted. C'mon New Zealand, let's shake off these anachronistic labour cultures and undercut, if necessary, our lazy neighbours, northwest of us.

If these shops were not going under, were bought out by an international firm, then these contracts were introduced, would the comments here be more supportive of the workers? Or of the union for advising employees of rights? I'm struggling to understand why anyone would knock employee rights. The only reasons I can think of are that either people have envy- they don't have unions or contracts or jobs so why should anyone else? -or people view these Australian companies as saviours wielding the Holy Grail of corporate success, so NZers should be on bended knees with gratitude.

Something is seriously wrong with the 'average NZer' if they believe people, who may have been contributing to company profits for many years, are lucky to have an unstable job with an uncertain future and no chance of reduncy payout.

If the previous management actually did their job, this would not have happened. There is no point in blaming the new owners for wanting to enter into new employment agreements that are in line with their existing contracts? Put the shoe on the other foot, if you bought the business, I am sure you would not be bending over because the union and a few labour supporters said so? Why can't people understand, they saved 900 jobs! You just whinge about employment terms, yet don't think twice when you buy electronics that have been produced on labour of $2USD per 12hr day? They should be thankful they still have jobs. There are plenty of unemployed people that would be happy to take their jobs!

Az#84 what a load of hogwash. Unions are useless and have been for many years taking fees from those stupid enough to beleive they will actually benefit. You are better to go in and fight for yourselves. I was a union member for many years and got absolutely nothing out of it except being sold out on a redunduncy clause in my contract for compensation of a few measly dollars a month. They are happy to take your money but in reality have little or no power nowadays. Also stop going on about rich cats and the National Government. The majority of these people are hard working who already pay more tax to prop up the beneficiary bludgers still creaming it under labours welfare state. I know I'll tell my 3 kids to become beneficiary bludgers as well and not to aspire to anything or have ambition. Then they can drain the country even more.

@ Matt #29 "Now they've got job security.."

That's the issue. Signing the contract wouldn't give them job security.

Meh stop ya moaning everyone, if they don't want to work there they can easily leave. No one is forcing them to stay.

And to everyone moaning about the rich having too much money etc etc - they created these jobs. They deserve the reward of having the money as a result of their good choices in life.

#32 "Unions are evil" Yeah ncie one. I don't know what job you're in pal, but I guarantee in the past that the basic conditions & pay rates you have were fought for & won by unions. That attitude is why this country is in the mess it is in. Work for nothing with little or no conditions. People talk about Australia being the palce to work. Why is that? because the unions are still strong over there & keep the pay rates & conditions at good levels. Wake your ideas up & relalise that these guys ae being shafted & without union representation they'd probably have all been out the door before the new owners took oevr!

Good to know what other businesses these mean bastards own. Now I know where not to shop. Picking on the lowest paid workers in society is just mean spirited.

For what, so they have a few extra shekles in their shrewish pockets for that 100,000 dollar bubbly to pour into their greedy, fattened gullets!

Go unions! Remember, the rich DON'T pay taxes and contribute nothing to the betterment of society ... only to fill their fat pockets!