Industrial Workers of the World

Bakers not Delighted!

http://bakersdelightcampaign.wordpress.com

UNITE organiser Mel Gregson recently spoke to Diana Beaumont from 3CR’s Stick Together about the campaign for decent wages and conditions for Bakers Delight workers.

Fair Work Australia rejects Bakers Delight Agreement After a months long process, Fair Work Australia has finally refused to approve a Bakers Delight Enterprise Agreement. The agreement would have covered the Diamond Creek, St Helena and Laurimar stores in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

UNITE, the fighting union for fast food and retail workers, had challenged the agreement in Fair Work Australia claiming that it left the young workforce disadvantaged because it undermined many Award conditions. In her decision Senior Deputy President Drake said: “I am not satisfied that the Agreement passes the Better Off Overall Test. I have residual concerns regarding allowances, accident makeup pay and other award benefits, as well as the loaded rate of pay which compensates for annual leave and personal leave. On balance I am not satisfied that employees would be better off overall under the terms of this Agreement.”

UNITE Secretary Anthony Main said “After failing to negotiate in good faith, the employer dishonestly pushed through this agreement with the help of bullying and lies. UNITE had no option but to challenge its validity. “The employer wanted a casual workforce without having to pay the casual rates. He tried to remove penalty rates, annual leave and sick pay.

“Even though all of the workers are employed on a permanent basis, they would have had no guaranteed hours under this agreement. To top it all off there were no pay increases included. “We welcome SPD Drake’s decision but a further problem remains. At the moment these workers are still covered by an old non-union agreement that includes the same disadvantages that were rejected by SDP Drake. Right now these young workers are legally being paid significantly less than the Award.

“While there is a lot of talk about the possibility of Tony Abbott bringing back Work Choices, for these workers Work Choices is still very much in place. “

UNITE has lodged an application for the old agreement to be terminated and for the workers to be brought back onto the Award. We hope that Fair Work Australia recognises that it is in the public interest for these young workers to be afforded industry standard conditions.” Anthony said.

To read SPD Drake’s full decision

see:http://www.fwa.gov.au/decisionssigned/html/2010fwa5752.htm