A win for Sigma members in Queensland
The workers at all Sigma sites were happy to endorse the latest offer from the company after the latest round of bargaining. This has been a long awaited outcome for the members and provides an agreement that encompasses the whole of Queensland for the first time in many years.
Members at Sigma in Queensland had great leadership in the elected union delegates Wendy and Debbie, who again showed great courage and took on the company. Every detail, at every stage of the process, was passed only after an in-depth decision making process.
The bargaining team surveyed members for their input and mass meetings were held to discuss the log and what members wanted in their new agreement before the log was sent to the company.
the NUW bargaining team first met with the company in mid June 2011 and received what could only be described as a mountain high log of claims from the company. The company wanted changes to spread the span of hours far outside what members were used to. They wanted changes to sick leave; requiring supporting evidence for days off. They wanted to get rid of the forklift and cold room allowances. They wanted a fitness for duty clause. For all this they offered a wage increase of 3% for each year, under the current cost of living estimates.
Many weeks of meetings followed with the company moving slightly on their position at each meeting. On Thursday the 8th of September members met and discussed the final offer from the the company. Members thanked Wendy and Debbie for their hard work, these women were amazing; always protective and mindful of their members needs.
Members can now look forward to 11% over two years, plus back-pay, to help them and their families deal with cost of living pressures and plan for the future.
