FIRST Union members at some major retail chains are currently or have recently concluded bargaining with their employers.

At the Warehouse, a new collective agreement has been ratified.  The pay offer ensures no one will get less than a 3%  increase and a significant number will gain more than that.  The night-fill allowance will increase to $1.00 an hour from 9 February 2013.  The agreement also includes a number of union rights including recognition of delegates and time to carry out their role, monthly meetings for delegates (on pay), union material distributed to new employees (including the showing of a DVD). 

Further bargaining is taking place this week and next with both Farmers and Bunnings. Recruitment of new members is an important part of the campaign in both employers as the initial offers have been too low.