Despite both trading well, the contrast between two major retail chains who have announced profits this week is significant when it comes to how their workforce is treated.
News that Bunnings’ parent company in Australia has posted excellent profits today will be welcomed by their New Zealand workforce currently in negotiations for a wage rise, the retail workers’ union said.
FIRST Union delegates will be meeting with Farmers to negotiate a new Collective Agreement in August, and claims meetings for members will take place in July.
No one was more excited to see six months paid parental leave on the political agenda than FIRST Union delegate Noreen Faasoa, who works at Kmart Botany Downs. Noreen is a doting mum to 14 month old Hope and is five months pregnant with baby number two.
Noreen was able to take eight months total off work when Hope was born, but says "financially, it was not easy.”
FIRST Union members at Kmart have now voted to ratify their collective agreement. This is a good settlement for members, with a pay increase of 5% on the rate over 14 months (and a little more for Distribution Centre workers), 5 days bereavement leave for immediate family members (3 days for extended family and 1 day for close association), 8 days sick leave and a few other goodies.
