NUW Members win $100 a week increase at La Ionica
La Ionica workers to be thousands of dollars a year better off after winning a historic first union agreement
Delegates Ralph and Noeline proudly show the agreement
What a difference three months makes! In August 2009 workers at La Ionica in Thomastown had been stuck on award minimum wages for years with no pay increase in sight.
Now they have an agreement that ensures both they and their families will be thousands of dollars better off, with one La Ionica worker agreeing, “I work hard for the company and am very happy to know my wages will now go up every year“.
The new agreement for La Ionica workers came to fruition because site delegates Ralph, Noeline and Reuben, along with NUW Organisers, had bargained with the company. The strength to bargain came from a campaign that resulted in 100 new members at the site.
A delegate at the site commented, “I had never been in a union before and the last few months have been such an eye opener. All joining the union has made such a huge difference to work. It is not just the big pay increase, but the little things like finally having tea and coffee provided for us.”
