Big W workers have delivered an overwhelming 92% yes vote in favour of a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) that delivers pay rises for all workers, improves penalty rates, secures hard-won SDA conditions and delivers a comprehensive range of improved conditions.
The ballot, which closed yesterday saw almost 70% (11,019) of Big W workers turn out to vote on the new agreement with 10,114 (92%) voting ‘yes’.
SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer said the overwhelming approval of the new agreement was an outstanding win for Big W workers.
“We’re very pleased Big W workers have delivered an overwhelming 92% yes vote on a new agreement which will deliver pay rises for all workers, improve penalty rates, lock in hard won SDA conditions for Big W workers into the future and provide a comprehensive range of improved conditions, including a redundancy scale superior to the National Employment Standards.”
“There is no doubt that this excellent ballot result is the outcome of many months of hard work and consultation by SDA organisers and delegates with Big W employees.”
“We’ve worked very closely with Big W members to craft an agreement that delivered on the things they said were important to them.”
“They told us they wanted to lock in pay rises for all employees, access to improved penalty rates and they wanted to retain all of the SDA conditions they have had fought hard for and won in the past.”
Mr Dwyer said the new agreement also delivers a comprehensive range of improved conditions that improve job security for Big W employees.
“The new agreement includes better rostering provisions and enhanced protections for part time employees.”
“Causal employees will now have the option of applying to become part time if they consistently work the required hours over a 12-month period.”
“Additionally, as part of this new agreement, we’ve been able secure a greatly improved redundancy program for Big W employees and for the first time the new Big W agreement includes 5 days paid and 5 days unpaid domestic violence leave.”
“The union movement has been at the forefront of addressing this vital issue and we’re pleased that we’ve been able to secure domestic violence leave in another EBA.”
Mr Dwyer said that the new Big W agreement comprised a comprehensive package that was strongly supported by Big W workers.
“The overwhelming yes vote indicates that we’ve been able to deliver an agreement in line with the wishes of the people that matter most, Big W workers.”
Mr Dwyer said the proposed Big W agreement will now go to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for approval. The new agreement will commence from 6 May 2019 or 7 days after approval by the Fair Work Commission, whichever is later.
“Additionally, we’re really pleased that, as part of the agreement, we’ve been able to ensure that the first pay rise will apply from 6 May 2019 regardless of whether the agreement has been approved by the FWC by then.”
This incredible ballot result is a testament to the hard work of SDA workplace Delegates and demonstrates strong engagement from members in the stores.”
Media contact: Darren Rodrigo 0414 783 405