negotiations

The National Distribution Union has signed its second collective agreement at a Foodstuffs Pak n Save supermarket - this one at their flagship Lincoln Rd Pak 'n Save store, the largest supermarket in the country.

Pak 'n Save checkout cleaner and delegate Rina Waaka said that it was her worksite's first ever collective agreement and brings a substantial pay rise for her and her 400 co-workers in time for Christmas.

NDU Vice President, Michelle Argyle, says that this year's negotations with Farmers delivered the best result for the union so far.

"We got 7 days sick leave up from 5 and easier access to the Friends and Family day with union members qualifying for the extra days leave if we work 50 hours a fortnight. Hardly any of our members were getting the extra day under the old rules. Wages go up for all union members by at least 45 cents an hour, which means that with the agreement not to pass on the deal almost everyone is better off on the union deal and no-one is worse off."

With union membership numbers still low at Farmers, Michelle says that a new right for delegates to be involved in the induction of new staff is very important.

"We also agreed to a working party on the company's performance development system as most members felt it wasn't working for them and Farmers is committed to having it stay. So the only way forward with this, will be working it through together. We had a very staunch negotiation team which I was very proud to be part of, our members weren't afraid to speak their minds and were reflecting how members were feeling," she said.