Latest news with #retailworkers
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Pay rise for Kmart workers
File photo. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly Kmart workers say a new union agreement is a "huge win" for them. Kmart and Workers First Union have signed a two-year pay deal that will mean staff who have been employed for six months will be entitled to the new living wage of $28.95 from September 2025, increasing to the new living wage the following year. Union members will also get bonuses, of $500 for full-time workers, $350 for part-time workers and $200 for casual workers. The company will provide an improved pathway from casual to permanent employment, and an increase to safety and medical footwear reimbursements. Rudd Hughes, deputy secretary for retail at Workers First, said he believed the new agreement put Kmart workers among the highest-paid retail chain workers in the country. "We're extremely proud of our Kmart bargaining team and hopeful that this new agreement sets a standard in the retail industry that other big brands are paying attention to. "We started negotiations with the company talking about the CPI and 'clawbacks' of previous entitlements, but due to the efforts of our dedicated group of Kmart workers on the bargaining team, we've ended with an industry-leading agreement that includes a progressive living wage for two years and a generous union-only bonus." Tarsh Sullivan, a union coordinator from Kmart Te Rapa said it was a huge win for staff. "I'm happy that we're making progress and moving forward with this deal - we know it's not the same for all retail workers at the moment." Hughes said the Kmart deal sent a clear message to other big-box retailers. "Many of the other big retailers still don't believe their staff are worth a living wage," he said. "But Kmart has been thriving as a business because their staff are fairly paid and feel more motivated and valued by their employer." Kmart has been approached for comment. Careers NZ said retail sales staff generally earn about $48,000 a year and start on minimum wage. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘Unfair': Labor reveals penalty rates protection as priority when parliament returns
Pay for workers in female, part time and under-35 dominated industries will be the target of some of the first new laws under the new federal government. On Saturday, Employment Minister Amanda Rishworth announced laws to protect penalty rates and overtime pay for 2.6 million workers would be introduced in the coming weeks. 'If you rely on the modern award safety net and work weekends, public holidays, early mornings or late nights, you deserve to have your wages protected,' Ms Rishworth said. 'We want this law passed as a top priority, so workers are protected from the loopholes that see their take-home pay go backwards.' People covered by award rates are more likely to be women, work part time, be under 35 years of age or employed on casual contracts, Ms Rishworth said. The proposed law would add rules to the Fair Work Act, so penalty rates and overtime cannot be rolled up into a single rate of pay where it leaves any individual worker worse off. Speaking in Canberra on Saturday, Ms Rishworth stood alongside retail workers who said their penalty rates were 'really important' in paying for groceries and school fees. Retail worker Daniel said he was paid about $85 in penalty rates each week, equalling $4240 a year. 'I've been in retail for 17 years … That money often pays for vets, dentists, doctors and food. 'Generally, I find living on six to $700 a week is a struggle, whether you've got a partner to rely on or not. 'Penalty rates honestly make a huge difference, and without it, I'd have to work more. See my family less, see my dog less, see my friends less,' he said. 'Just not go to the movies, not ever have a holiday. It's a myriad of things that would affect me.' Ms Rishworth said the new legislation was prompted by 'a number of cases' where penalty rates were being reduced 'in an unfair way'. Retail, clerical and banking sector companies had made moves to trade away penalty rates for lower-paid workers, she said, leaving those staff worse off. 'Enterprise bargaining is the appropriate place to negotiate on entitlements – not eroding the award safety net,' Ms Rishworth said. Labor needs only the support of the Greens in the senate to pass legislation, sidelining the other minor parties and independents who held sway in the previous parliament's upper house.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Ladies In Black: Trailer, certificate and where to watch
The working women of a swanky Sydney department store open the doors to the Swinging Sixties 2024
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Yahoo
Edinburgh bookshop devastated as CCTV shows grim crime as they lock up for day
An Edinburgh bookshop was targeted in a brazen burglary with thieves who allegedly nicked hundreds of pounds from a charity tin. Argonaut Books on Leith Walk was victimised in the theft on the evening of Saturday, June 21. Police confirmed they received a report of the burglary around 8.40pm. READ MORE: Edinburgh locals warn 'we will go to war over parking' if development goes ahead READ MORE: Edinburgh locals party atop Arthur's Seat at stunning sunset rave Shopkeepers at the store, located at 15-17 Leith Walk, were preparing to shut for the night when a group of four thieves allegedly entered the bookshop, stealing the donation money from a Scottish Book Trust charity tin. Bosses assured customers on social media their staff are "all fine" but that the thieves were "threatening and aggressive", adding "as retail workers, it's nothing that we've not seen before." A CCTV image shared via the shop's Instagram appears to show an individual wearing a white T-shirt reaching into a charity tin. A message on Argonaut's Instagram reads: "We were robbed last night. Its one thing when it's our stock or our money that is targeted, there's insurance and systems in place for this, but when it's stealing from a charity in an extremely direct way then we just can't abide it. "Beyond the obvious anger and gurstration we feel, what happened last night is representative of the struggle that SBT and other charities are up against if they can't even be guaranteed the pennies from our counter. However, we will always try to make the best out of a bad situation! This morning we have made a donation of £300. "On top of our own £300 donation, we will be donation matching up to a further £300 this week. There's a link in our bio and in our stories that takes you directly to the donation page of the SBT website. "Anything you can spare is appreciated and goes directly to funding the immensely important work that the SBT do. Even if you can't give at the moment, telling a friend or sharing is also extremely helpful. Thank you all and we'll see you in the bookshop soon! A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'We received a report of a theft from a premises on Leith Walk, Edinburgh, around 8.40pm on Saturday, 22 June, 2025. Enquiries are at an early stage.' Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community her e and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
ABC News
02-06-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Supporting young retail workers
In the wake of the Northland Shopping centre incident, in this edition of The Conversation Hour we look at what training and support is available to young retail workers. Also in this edition, we speak to the Chair of Lifeline about coping strategies and we ask a criminologist if police hubs in centres would help curb crime and make the public feel safer. Plus, it's Spinal Health Week, so what's the key to keeping your spine pain free? If you, or anyone you know needs help: Lifeline 131 114 Guests: Yolanda Robson, director, The Young Workers Centre Fluer Brown, Chief Industry Affairs Officer, Australian Retail Association Dr Xanthé Mallett, criminologist, CQUniversity Professor Steve Moylan, chair of Lifeline Australia Suzanne Snodgrass, Associate Professor, Physiotherapy, University of Newcastle
