A call by grocery store large Coles to present its staff with a water bottle embossed with the corporate’s emblem has been slammed as a “shameful slap in the face” and a “gimmick”.
An inside e mail despatched by administration on the Aussie grocery chain to workers earlier this week revealed they’d every obtain a Coles branded water bottle, alongside 5 ‘mythanks’ factors as a part of an in-house reward scheme.
The inside workers memo reads: “It’s been a huge year and we would like to thank you all for your hard work!”
“We have listened to your feedback and are excited to announce that this year’s team member Christmas gift is new, sustainable and personalised!”
“Our elves have been busy making Coles water bottles”.
But secretary of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU), Josh Cullinan, blasted the transfer, claiming workers on the grocery store chain didn’t want the merchandise.
“They need an employer that treats them with dignity and respect.” Mr Cullinan mentioned.
“An employer that understands the cost of living crisis means they cannot afford to feed their kids or pay their rent.
“This shameful slap in the face is the latest in a series of disrespectful and disingenuous displays by Coles head office.”
Mr Cullinan mentioned Coles administration had the chance to do “so much more” as his members confronted continued value pressures over the Christmas interval.
“Christmas was an opportunity for Coles to reward their workers and end poverty wages,” Mr Cullinan mentioned.
“Instead, we see this pathetic response, a second rate drink bottle. It’s worse than a gimmick. It shows just how little respect Coles has for its workers.”
As negotiations to safe a contemporary pay deal on the firm proceed, the RAFFWU chief mentioned his members have been planning for a strike within the week earlier than Christmas.
It follows a two-hour nationwide strike by Coles employees represented by RAFFWU final month in a bid to safe improved wages and situations.
Key calls for to Coles administration embrace introducing a $29 base pay price, new measures to guard workers from threats and abuse, modifications to make sure elevated job safety for informal employees, minimal shift lengths and the abolition of junior and trainee pay charges.
The industrial motion comes as RAFFWU members struggle for a brand new enterprise settlement on the retail large.
In January this yr, Coles was delivered to the bargaining desk to achieve a brand new pay settlement for its employees after laws handed the parliament which unilaterally empowers employees to request updates of expired enterprise agreements.
It has been greater than three years since Coles’ final pay deal for its 100,000 retailer employees lapsed.
Coles largest competitor Woolworths is presently negotiating a brand new pay cope with RAFFWU’s essential rival, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association.
In a press release, Coles mentioned its employees would obtain a number of advantages over the Christmas interval.
“Each year, to show our appreciation to our 120,000 team members, we offer increased team member discounts in store and online during December and January,” a Coles spokesperson mentioned.
“We also offer our team increased discounts on exclusive liquor brands and increased Flybuys points as we head into the holiday season. Each of our stores also have a Christmas gathering, which includes a shared meal to celebrate as a team.”
Coles mentioned it was negotiating in “good faith” within the present spherical of enterprise settlement talks.
“Coles provides above-award conditions under our current enterprise agreement and passed on the Fair Work Commission’s 5.75% annual wage increase to our supermarket team members in July 2023,” a Coles spokesperson mentioned.
Originally revealed as ‘Shameful slap in the face’ Coles slammed for ‘gimmick’ workers Christmas present forward of water bottle, factors
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
