Retail 
Letters of support for Target workers
Target workers have received two letters in support of their EBA campaign.
The Women Unionist Network and the Geelong Trades Hall Council have both written to Target's ASU members to encourage them to stay strong in what is expected to be a tough campaign.
On Thursday, May 6, The ASU asked FWA to force Target to the negotiating table after two years of stalling.
The ASU said the Target employees’ collective agreement was due to expire, and the majority of the 234 office employees covered by the agreement wanted to re-negotiate their pay and conditions with their employer, but Target was blocking them.
In approving the ASU’s application for a “majority support determination”, FWA ruled the union had adequately shown through staff surveys and other supporting documentation that the majority of workers at Target wished to bargain with their employer.
Read the letters of support:
Target forced to bargain with staff
The industrial relations tribunal, Fair Work Australia, has ordered retail giant Target to bargain with its Geelong head office workers, after management refused to collectively negotiate pay and conditions with staff.
On Thursday, May 6, The Australian Services Union – which represents the Target workers – asked FWA to force Target to the negotiating table after two years of stalling.
The ASU said the Target employees’ collective agreement was due to expire, and the majority of the 234 office employees covered by the agreement wanted to re-negotiate their pay and conditions with their employer, but Target was blocking them.
In approving the ASU’s application for a “majority support determination”, FWA ruled the union had adequately shown through staff surveys and other supporting documentation that the majority of workers at Target wished to bargain with their employer.
The ASU staff surveys revealed that around 75 per cent of workers supported collective bargaining. Under the Fair Work Act, companies are obliged to negotiate collectively with their staff over pay rates and conditions if it can be shown that the majority of employees wish to do so.
“We are determined to get the best EBA for our members, and are pleased that Fair Work Australia recognised the desire of the Target workforce to negotiate over pay and conditions, rather than simply being told by management what their hours and working rates of pay will be,” said ASU Branch Secretary Ingrid Stitt.
“Furthermore, the ruling is particularly pleasing in light of the fact that Target has been ignoring our call to bargain for two years; finally, we can stop wasting time, and the workers can get some certainty regarding their working conditions and their right to collectively bargain can be respected.”
The Australian Services Union represents workers in administration, community, customer service and clerical roles across a range of sectors, including retail, call centres, legal and airlines.
$1.64 Billion profit for CML, yet 2500 jobs to go by 2008
The Australian Services Union was shocked to discover that on the very same day that Coles Myer Limited announced a profit of $1.64 billion for the 2006 fiscal year, staff were given the news that 2, 500 above store jobs are to be cut by the 2008 fiscal year.
ASU members and workers employed by CML deserve to be treated with dignity. This isall the more critical when a person’s livelihood is at stake. As of the time of thisannouncement, the ASU has not been consulted by CML on the proposed restructure. To date the ASU has not been advised of which parts of the CML business group are to be affected, or when various business areas will be “simplified”.
The ASU is concerned that CML have failed to meet obligations under industrial instruments the ASU is a party to which obliges CML to consult with the ASU on the introduction of major changes to work.
The ASU is in the process of organising a meeting with CML to discuss the details of the proposed restructure and how this will impact on staff employed across the CML business in respect to support roles, and what strategies CML have developed to mitigate the impact of the restructure on staff.
It is more important now then ever that you stick together and remain united and active. This is the most effective way of defending your rights at Target and provides members with the best strategy for getting management to listen and respond to your concerns.
We will hold a staff meeting with staff to report on what was discussed and provide further information to staff after meeting with CML management. Please be on the lookout for notice of a staff meeting.
Please contact either Robyn Bull or Sue Charteris if you have any issues youwould like the ASU to action or ideas about what your union can be doing at Target.
Download this story as a workplace bulletin:
$1.64 Billion profit for CML, yet 2500 jobs to go by 2008 (131.57 KB)
Target: Weekly Payroll
ASU members at Target Geelong Head Office met on June 14, 2006 to discuss management’s proposal to move all staff onto a weekly pay roll system to replace the fortnightly payroll system. Staff raised a number of issues that we wanted addressed by management. Please find below the text of the resolution passed by ASU members on this issue.
This meeting of ASU Members resolves to agree in principle to the weekly pay cycle subject to satisfactorily resolving the following:
Confirmation in writing of the HR contact for staff at Target and an explanation by CML as to how questions or concerns regarding the weekly payroll system are to be resolved;
Confirmation in writing that CML are prepared to assist any member who experiences financial hardship as a result of moving to the weekly pay roll cycle (for example if payments are late or inaccurate and a member of staff incurs a fine from a financial institution);
Provide staff with significant notice (more than 4 weeks in advance) in writing of the date of the start of the weekly payroll system so that staff at Target can re-organize their financial arrangements (such as any direct debit transactions);
CML to guarantee in writing that staff at Target will not be disadvantaged financially by the change to a weekly payroll system;
Confirmation that staff superannuation payments will not be adversely affected by a move to the weekly payroll system, and a commitment that superannuation payments will be made in a timely manner;
Confirm that all existing authorised deductions are to be halfed and deducted from the relevant weekly wage administered by CML;
Confirm the conditions of the agreement with EDS and penalties that EDS will incur if payroll adjustments are not made within 24 hours; and that the contract with EDS conforms with the terms and conditions contained in the current EBA.
CML agree in writing to provide year to date pay/wages information for all staff on staff weekly pay advice.
ASU Members instruct ASU representatives to meet with CML management and report back to members about the outcome of the meeting with management, and ensure that the letter of exchange incorporates the above matters.
ASU members also instruct the ASU to write to CML informing management that staff at Target are appalled that CML have made a decision to outsource payroll services to a company in America.
We will hold a staff meeting in the next couple of weeks to report back on the progress of the meeting with management.
Get in touch with your ASU delegates Robyn, Sue, and Rachelle if you have any questions!
Workplace Meeting to discuss the Howard Government’s harsh new industrial laws!
Ingrid Stitt, Branch Secretary ASU, met with ASU members to talk to members about the new harsh and unfair industrial relations reforms introduced by the Howard Government. News that the laws take away the employment rights of employees and lead us down the path of low wages and poor conditions was no surprise to members. These radical laws unfairly cut our rights at work, and ultimately cut the amount of time Australians can spend with their families, and erode job security.
ASU members know that now, more than ever, it is time to be a part of your union, to support your work mates, families and local communities so that all workers are in the strongest possible position to protect our hard earned rights at work!
ASU Delegates Meetings
ASU delegates at Target meet regularly, so get in touch with your ASU delegates: Robyn, Sue and Rachelle if you have any issues you need raised, or ideas about what you would like your union to be doing!
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