September 21, 2006
Statement from Progressive Enterprises Ltd
Progressive secures three year agreement based around three collective agreements
Progressive Enterprises Ltd is pleased common sense has prevailed and the unions’ demand for a single national
collective agreement and an unreasonable initial 30 per cent increase in employment costs have been dropped and a new
agreement reached.
Progressive Enterprises Ltd has secured a three year deal with the unions representing staff at its distribution
centres, based on the three existing collective contracts.
The deal provides for three collective agreements which reflect the operational differences of the three warehouses and
also allows for the structured elimination of site allowances. From today the way is now clear to reopen the
distribution centres and for a resumption of work for all staff.
The time frame of the deal provides certainty of planning which is important to enable the implementation of new systems
that will improve Progressive’s competitiveness and its ability to deliver lower prices to our customers.
Progressive has been concerned with the hardship felt by returning staff and where appropriate individuals will be
provided with a short term interest free loan from Progressive repayable in small weekly increments.
We take this opportunity to thank shoppers for their continued custom and patience throughout this unfortunate
industrial action. We also thank the Progressive team and our suppliers who have worked tirelessly to ensure we have
maintained supplies of food to the best of our abilities over recent weeks.
Customers should expect to see their local Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown supermarket return to normal over the next
few days.
Marty Hamnett
Managing Director
Progressive Enterprises Ltd
ENDS