The Coles Supermarkets Enterprise Agreement 2017 Victoria: Understanding the Latest Developments
The Coles Supermarkets Enterprise Agreement 2017 Victoria is a collective agreement between Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd and its employees in Victoria. The agreement outlines the terms and conditions of employment for thousands of workers in Coles stores across the state.
The agreement is an important document that sets out the wages, entitlements, and working conditions of Coles employees in Victoria. It covers a range of issues, such as penalty rates, casual employment, and allowances, among others.
However, the 2017 agreement has been the subject of controversy and debate in recent years. In 2019, the Fair Work Commission rejected Coles` proposed enterprise agreement, which had been negotiated without the involvement of trade unions. The Commission ruled that the proposed agreement did not meet the legal requirements for a fair and reasonable deal for workers.
Following this decision, Coles and the National Union of Workers (NUW) resumed negotiations to develop a new enterprise agreement that would meet the Commission`s requirements. The parties agreed to include a number of provisions that had been excluded from the previous agreement, such as a minimum rate of pay for casual employees.
In July 2020, the NUW announced that it had reached a new deal with Coles, which was subsequently approved by the Fair Work Commission. The Coles Supermarkets Enterprise Agreement 2020 Victoria sets out improved pay rates and entitlements for workers, including a minimum rate of pay for casual employees.
Under the new agreement, full-time and part-time workers will receive an increase in wages, with a 3.5 percent pay rise from October 2020 and a further 3 percent increase in October 2021. Casual workers will also receive an increase in their base rate of pay, as well as additional penalties for working on weekends and public holidays.
The COles Supermarkets Enterprise Agreement 2020 Victoria also includes provisions for flexible working arrangements, such as rostering and scheduling, as well as improved job security for workers. The agreement also recognises the importance of work-life balance, with provisions for parental leave, domestic violence leave, and flexible work arrangements.
In summary, the Coles Supermarkets Enterprise Agreement 2017 Victoria has been superseded by the new 2020 agreement, which provides improved pay rates and conditions for workers. The new agreement was negotiated in consultation with trade unions, ensuring that it meets the legal requirements for a fair and reasonable deal. It is an important milestone in securing better pay and entitlements for Coles employees in Victoria, and a step towards greater workplace fairness and equality.