United Voice News
A new delegate structure at Arnott's in south-east Queensland, consisting of a team of 16 members, is delivering exceptional bargaining strength in current agreement negotiations.
Workers at Arnott’s have enjoyed above award wages for years as a result of high union membership and motivated delegates dedicated to improving the working environment for fellow employees.
In an attempt to improve outcomes in current agreement negotiations, a new team of 16 delegates are putting their negotiating skills into action hopeful of achieving not only a decent wage increase, but more importantly improved conditions.
LHMU delegate and Arnott’s employee Maxina Mellors, said workers at Arnott’s were more interested in securing improved conditions, including better job security, fairer break times, protections for sick workers, better overtime provisions and shift loading on leave entitlements.
“I am confident that our collective approach to negotiating this agreement will deliver better outcomes for us all, but we need to stay focused, encourage others and communicate outcomes with members,” Maxina said.
“We’ve put a number of improvements to our conditions on the table.
“Things like fairer break times for people working a distance from break areas will ensure all workers receive adequate time for their breaks.”
LHMU delegate and Arnott’s employee Robert Blair is hopeful the knowledge and understanding of the negotiating committee will deliver a fair agreement for workers.
“Given our negotiating team is made up of 16 delegates, there isn’t much we don’t know as a group when it comes to meeting with our employer,” Robert said.
“Apart from knowledge, having a good support network behind us with such high union membership, has given us the strength we’ve needed to better negotiate with our employer.”
With a history of great achievements behind them, the Arnott’s negotiating committee is hopeful of again delivering good outcomes in their new agreement.
