Check out the new UNITE myspace page
MySpace is an online forum for networking. You can use it to chat, share photos, videos and journals. We want to use it to promote our union online amongst fast food and retail workers.
See our site at www.myspace.com/uniteunion
Support the right to join a union!
UNITE has been contacted several times in recent months by young people who have just started working at McDonalds. What they have told us is that they were asked to sign a document pledging that they would not join a union.
Despite the new ‘Work Choices’ legislation it is still illegal for bosses to coerce a person into not joining a union. Under the Workplace Relations Act all employees have the right to belong to a union if they so wish.
Workers win pay parity across all threes sites!
The dispute involving the 500 locked out distribution workers in New Zealand has been resolved. Union members in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch have ratified the terms of settlement with Progressive Enterprises who are owned by Woolworths Australia.
The three-year settlement achieves the workers’ key aim of equal pay across the three sites. A single national pay rate will deliver a 19.7% pay rise to the lowest paid distribution centre in Christchurch within two years!
UNITE is selling merchandise to help raise money for the struggle against the greedy bosses in the fast food and retail industries. The following items are now available:
UNITE T-Shirts, Black with blue logo - Sizes S/M/L/XL $20 or $15 for members
UNITE Hoodies, Black with blue logo - Sizes S/M/L/XL $40 or $35 for members
UNITE Badges, White with blue logo - $3 or $2 for members
Coming soon - UNITE Flags, stickers and heaps more badges
Please note all of our T-Shirts and Hoodies are made in Victoria by TCFUA members at Qualitops. This company adheres to the Accredited Outworker Code of Practice.
To buy your merchandise come along to a UNITE meeting otherwise contact us on 93281555 to arrange pick up or delivery. Postage can be arranged for a small fee.
A successful action was held in the Melbourne CBD yesterday in solidarity with the 500+ locked out distribution workers in New Zealand. The workers are employed by a company called Progressive Enterprises which is owned by Woolworths Australia.
They have been locked out until they drop their demand for a collective union agreement. They are fighting for decent pay rises and pay parity across three New Zealand distribution centers. Read report and see photos below.
UNITE is organising an emergency action in support of over 500 locked out supermarket workers in New Zealand. The workers are employed by Progressive which is owned by Woolworths Australia.
The details are: 4-6pm Wednesday September 13th outside the Safeway / Big W entrance corner of Lonsdale and Swanston Streets City. Please come along and bring union & community flags & banners. See below for the text of the leaflet we will be distributing on the day, plus photos!
UNITE, the new union for fast food and retail workers in Victoria, is launching in Geelong.
A public meeting will be held to coincide with the launch. The details are:
6.30pm Monday 18th September at Geelong Trades Hall. 127 Myers St Geelong. Speaking on the night will be UNITE Secretary, Anthony Main.
UNITE supporters will also be campaigning in the city centre in the lead up to the event.
For more details contact the UNITE Office on 93281555.
UNITE invites all members and supporters to our monthly general meeting.
The meeting will be held on: Thursday September 14th, 6pm at Trades Hall. Corner of Lygon and Victoria Streets Carlton South.
The meeting will discuss building UNITE, upcoming actions and launching UNITE in Geelong. Members can also use the meeting to raise any issues they have within the union.
Please come along and bring anyone else who is interested in helping to unionise the fast food and retail industries.
For more information contact the UNITE office 9328 1555.
Thousands of workers farewelled trade union leader John Cummins (Cummo) yesterday, at a service at the historic Regent Theatre in Collins Street Melbourne. Cummo died last week after a year long battle with cancer. He held the position of the Victorian State President of the CFMEU (Construction Union) and was previously a leader of the militant Builders Labourers Federation (BLF).
UNITE will be particpating in the Monash University Unions Fair this Wednesday!
The Monash Student Union have organised the event to assist in letting students know about their rights at work. The day will consist of a wide range of stalls and workshops. UNITE Secretary, Anthony Main will be doing a joint workshop with Union Solidarity Co-ordinator, Dave Kerin. The topic will be an introduction to industrial action.