Foodstuffs workers sent home

More than 100 Christchurch-based Foodstuffs workers have been suspended after a one-hour strike on Thursday.

The National Distribution Union (NDU) said 230 South Island workers have been trying to negotiate a collective agreement for eight months. On Thursday, 110 workers, mostly from Papanui and Hornby warehouses, were suspended after one hour of industrial action.

Union southern regional secretary Paul Watson slammed the company's decision and accused Foodstuff South Island of bullying workers.

Foodstuffs South Island worker Arthur Page said: "I think it's just union busting and bullying from the management."

Foodstuffs South Island's operating profit in the year to February 28 topped $174 million.

The company recently awarded workers a 3.5 per cent increase.

They now earn between $13.46 and $16.38 an hour, the union said.