Unite NZ declares victory against McDonalds
Burger King next on hit list!
After months of negotiation the Unite Union in New Zealand has reached a breakthrough collective employment agreement with fast food giant McDonald’s. Earlier this year Unite also signed agreements with Red Rooster and Restaurant Brands who own KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks.
“Negotiations have been long and slow but after persistence with our SuperSizeMyPay.com campaign we have finally seen a breakthrough with McDonald’s in November and Burger King has realised it must follow suit,” said Unite National Secretary Matt McCarten.
“The collective agreements that these companies and their franchisees have entered into see significant moves across the country on youth rates and some instances pay rises of up to two dollars per hour.
“Starting tomorrow McDonald’s workers under 18 will receive an 11.6 per cent increase after six months and over 18 year-olds will receive a 2.7 – 15.7 per cent increase after the same time period.
“McDonald’s have also promised union members a bonus and will implement a minimum shift, and have committed to abolish youth rates. Restaurant Brands and Red Rooster have already promised to eradicate youth rates.
“We are 90 per cent there now with Burger King and hope to tidy up the contract this month which will mean we will have signed contracts with three of the major fast food employers in New Zealand – McDonald’s, Restaurant Brands and Burger King - a move that is unprecedented anywhere in the world.
“Burger King, whose employees are largely young workers, has agreed to shift the youth rate next year from $8.35 to $9.00 - an increase of 7.8 per cent. Adult crew workers will receive a 7.3 per cent increase.
“Burger King’s wage proposal is well below Restaurant Brands ($9.23) and McDonald’s ($9.50 after six months) and is not an offer Unite is willing to accept. We will continue to negotiate with Burger King to improve this offer and settle the last remaining issues so we can sign a collective agreement. Hopefully this will occur before Christmas.
“In the meantime we will be conducting a public campaign to put pressure on Burger King to join the other fast food companies in settling a collective agreement.
“Red Rooster has agreed to no youth rates, more secure hours, minimum shift lengths, and an overtime rate for Unite members.
“These agreements are a major achievement for the low paid workers in the casualised fast food workforce that is renowned for its hostility towards unions.” Matt said.
UNITE in Australia sent congratulations to our friends in New Zealand yesterday. UNITE Secretary, Anthony Main, said “This is an important victory against perhaps one of the most anti union employers in the world. It’s a great result. UNITE in Australia hopes to replicate some of these successes in the years to come.”
“It looks like, on top of Burger King, Unite NZ is also close to tying down Wendy’s before Christmas. That will mean they will have unionised all of the biggest employers in the New Zealand fast food industry. A fantastic achievement considering many people said that fast food was an impossible sector to organise.” Anthony said.