A successful campaign to reinstate 10 sacked workers at Savemart resulted in over 100 members Nationwide and a new collective agreement.
Last year Savemart owner, Tom Doonan, issued notice of dismissal to 10 staff members who had decided to join FIRST Union. Following a successful media campaign on the John Campbell Radio New Zealand show Checkpoint, an online petition, and growing public support, the company were forced to reinstate the workers.
Motivated by the success of the union’s campaign to protect the workers and the public outcry for change at the company, dozens of Savemart workers from around the country joined FIRST Union.
The surge of membership lead to the conclusion of a Nationwide collective agreement that included a 7% wage increases over the 15 month term, the introduction of redundancy compensation, long service leave, paid death insurance, new allowances and a raft of other benefits.
The members also won a number of improvements to their work environment relating to health and safety matters.
