Staff may not return if supermarket reopens today
The decision about when to reopen the Dunedin supermarket where four people were stabbed will be made today, a union says.
However, some staff have indicated they will not return to work if that is the case.
Countdown Dunedin Central has been closed since Monday afternoon when a man armed with several small knives allegedly stabbed four people – three of whom suffered critical injuries. The attack prompted a mass response from Dunedin’s emergency services, and led to the arrest of a 42-year-old man. He appeared the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday on four counts of attempted murder.
The police forensic examination concluded on Tuesday night.
Police tape preventing access to the car park was removed yesterday.
The car park remained off limits to media as a large number of staff gathered outside the store.
Countdown did not give a specific opening time.
‘‘Our focus now is on helping make sure our team’s return to the store is as peaceful and as healing as it can be, and we would ask both the public and the media to respect our team’s privacy as they do this,’’ spokeswoman Kiri Hannifin said. ‘‘We are working on getting the store back in order, and we will reopen for our local customers when we feel we are ready to do so.’’
A blessing was held by kauma¯ tua Hata Temo for about 50 staff, after the store had undergone a clean by contractors. Senior police also attended the blessing.
A steady stream of shoppers had approached the store, but were turned away by security.
Tali Williams, First Union retail, finance and commerce secretary, said a meeting was held between Countdown management, the union and workers.
A decision to reopen would be made this morning, he said.
‘‘Staff are still reeling in shock from Monday’s incident and there are a range of feelings about the store reopening.’’
Some workers were unlikely to return to work if the store reopened today, Williams said.