Woolworths Larapinta launch new EBA
Woolworths Larapinta bargaining team: Tom Woods, Silia Lemalu, Marcus Smith, Pehi Graham, Morris Bowman and Rob Van Beek.
On Saturday 3 September, NUW members officially launched our campaign for a new agreement – celebrating the gains we have won and future wins to come. Woolworth’s management have now recognised the NUW’s right to organise on site; holding paid meetings and putting forward what we want in our new EBA.
Our log of claims (LOC) was endorsed on Wednesday 31 August by all shifts. The endorsement was unanimous with 100% voting in support and getting behind the LOC. We are driving this new agreement; we know where we’ve lost in the past and we’re hungry to make things right this time around.
Labour hire workers were brought up at this week’s negotiations with the company. Woolworths were told clearly, from direct employees and casuals, how important it is to give labour hire workers a fair go – including conversion to direct employment and equal respect. The bargaining team is pushing forward with this claim to ensure site rates and fair conditions when engaging with our NUW labour hire members.
Without a doubt, Woolworth’s LOC has alarmed most of us on site. There are claims forgoing penalty rates for direct casuals and performance pick rates of 100%. The membership spoke last Saturday and we will say NO to these proposals. We have asked the company to clarify a number of their claims so we can understand exactly what they mean and the membership can direct the bargaining team to reply appropriately.
All good things come with time. We don’t need to rush an agreement through that has intolerable wages and conditions.
This time it’s up to us to make a difference in our workplace. We should accept the agreement only when we believe it’s fair and reasonable.
The collective will always win – Unity is Strength.
