UNITE wins pay increases for 7-Eleven workers
Text of new leaflet aimed at 7-Eleven workers
Since August 2008 UNITE has been campaigning to improve the wages and conditions of 7-Eleven workers. Our work has led to some 7-Eleven workers getting pay increases and others getting back pay because they were underpaid. Many more workers that were getting paid ‘cash in hand’ are now on the books and being paid properly.
Are you getting the minimum wage? ($14.31)
The minimum wage in Australia went up to $14.31 per hour on October 1st 2008. All 7-Eleven workers should be getting this as an absolute minimum. On top of the minimum wage you should get extra pay for working late nights, long shifts or on weekends. Your employer can pay you more than this but under no circumstances can you be paid less than $14.31 per hour.
If you are not being paid at least $14.31 per hour join UNITE so we can help you get this.
Did you get back pay?
For some time 7-Eleven has been underpaying many of their workers. Some workers have complained to us that they are receiving as little as $8 per hour! Others have never been paid overtime or penalty rates. The Workplace Ombudsman has forced some 7-Eleven stores to back pay their workers. If you have been back paid you need to check if the amount is right.
If you were being underpaid and did not receive back pay join UNITE so we can help you recover this money.
Make sure you hold onto your conditions
So far UNITE’s campaign has led to –
- The Workplace Ombudsman investigating 7-Eleven and forcing them to back pay many workers and increase wages significantly.
- Various media outlets highlighting 7-Eleven’s dodgy employment practices.
- The Workplace Ombudsman producing thousands of new ‘know your rights’ leaflets aimed at international students.
- 7-Eleven Head Office producing a Charter of Workplace Rights and encouraging their franchisees to start sticking to the law.
All this is a great start but much more needs to be done. Unless many more workers join UNITE and we organise 7-Eleven stores properly the franchise owners will inevitably try to take back wages and conditions over time. The best way to avoid this is to join the union and maintain our presence in the stores.
If you want to keep your wages and conditions and improve them over time join UNITE!
UNITE is a fighting union for fast food and retail workers based in Victoria. We cover 7-Eleven workers and urge you to join us today. To speak to an organizer call Anthony Main on 0417368215 or 93281555.