D.I.Y. Payrise
If you’ve ever flicked through a Bunning’s catalogue or watched one of their ads on TV lately, chances are you saw a fellow union member.
Indy Tyler, 35, has worked in the paint department at the North Shore Bunnings store for two years and recently modeled for the company catalogue along with a dozen other union members.
“We all had to sign a waiver and weren’t paid a cent. One of our staff members on really shitty wages also starred unpaid in one of the company’s television ads.”
Retail Secretary Maxine Gay says the lack of payment is in line with the company’s two-year zero wage offer late last year, which members rejected unanimously.
Indy and her North Shore work mates were so annoyed at the lack of a wage offer they took action with Bunnings workers from around the country just before Christmas.
“Some of us had never been union members before, let alone taken action.”
Since then, Bunnings has attempted to undermine the union by going around bargaining and giving meagre pay rises to a small number of workers if they “achieve competency in a number of areas.”
Maxine says members were under no illusion as to what had prompted the company to increase some wages.
“Members recognised the small gains made were a direct result of the action taken since negotiations broke down and got angry when Bunnings pretended it was unrelated.”
“They were angry because not everyone was given a pay rise and because those who qualified for it still had to jump through hoops to get it and because Bunnings tried to use it to undermine collective bargaining.”
Despite Indy not getting a pay rise, she is confident the union will win more for everyone.
“I’d get out on the street again in a heartbeat. My dad was a firm believer that if there was ever a drama at work, the union always could sort it out.”
Simon Oosterman
