07/08/2018

FIRST Union retail members’ Worth It living wage campaign for retail workers has had its first major win. Due to the patience and perseverance of Bunnings union members at collective bargaining, the company has offered the Living Wage ($20.55) to staff. This lifts base rates by $2 per hour, on a 40-hour week that’s an extra $80 each week for these workers and their families.

FIRST Union Retail, Finance and Commerce Division Secretary Tali Williams says it sets a new precedent for other retail companies.

“This is a massive victory for retail workers in New Zealand. No longer will they accept being paid low wages. Bunnings has set a new bar for what retail workers deserve to be paid.”

Ms Williams says the agreement aligns with every notion of the Worth It campaign which seeks to lift some of the lowest pay rates in New Zealand.

“This negotiated offer from Bunnings will change workers lives. It recognises the Living Wage is a necessity to ensure working people are thriving not struggling to survive.”

She adds a big thank you to members who were involved in negotiations and to those who supported and persevered until the deal was struck.

“It’s a major win, these 4000-odd workers are worth it and today validates that.”

Members will vote on the offer over the coming weeks.

About the campaign

The campaign calls on employers in the retail industry to pay workers a Living Wage of $20.55 an hour, give workers enough hours to live on, and ensure that as the minimum wage increases, so too do existing pay rates relative to this.

This is in response to the overwhelming underpayment and underemployment of workers in this sector. Many retail workers in New Zealand currently survive on minimum wage rates and don’t have enough hours of work to live on. Pay rates and work hours are so low that employers struggle to fill vacancies, and a pay crisis is already in effect as the average retail worker struggles to live. The campaign was set up as an opportunity for retail brands to instil more ethical work practices.

FIRST Union has 12,500 members across the country working in the retail industry, but the campaign is aimed at transforming a large chunk of the working sector to better the lives of almost 20% of the New Zealand workforce who are at risk of insecure and/or low-paid jobs.

Below is a list of comments that spurred workers to organise the campaign.

“I have to go to WINZ to get money for a uniform.”

“I’m living pay cheque to pay cheque.”

“I only wear hand me downs.“

“I can’t afford to take my kids to the doctor.”

“Holidays are a pipe dream.”

“We have to decide whether to buy food or school uniforms.”

“ I had to move in with my adult kids to survive.”

“I don’t get to see husband because we both work multiple jobs to survive.”

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