Around 28,000 Kmart workers across Australia have commenced reviewing a new enterprise bargaining agreement that protects take home pay and locks in hard won SDA conditions.

SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer said that the new agreement was developed in close consultation with hundreds of Kmart Delegates across Australia and reflected their key priorities.

“Kmart staff were very clear about want they wanted in this new agreement. They wanted to protect their take home pay, improve penalty rates on weekends, lock in pay rises for all staff and protect the strong range SDA conditions they’d won over a number of years.”

“We’re really pleased that in this agreement, we’ve been able to deliver a package of solid wages and excellent conditions consistent with key priorities of Kmart staff.”

“The agreement contains a sign on bonus of up to $450 (pro rata), higher weekday pay rates and increased pay rates on weekends and weeknights.”

“The new agreement also succeeds in protecting take home pay by preserving higher base rates of pay for existing workers, while ensuring all Kmart staff receive pay rises every six months.”

“Casual Kmart workers also receive the full benefit of the SDA’s recent win for casual workers with penalty rate increases for casual employees after 6pm Monday to Friday, and a 25% penalty rate increase for all ordinary hours worked on a Saturday.”

Mr Dwyer said the agreement also locked in SDA conditions that were highly valued by Kmart staff, won over a number of years.

“Voluntary work on public holidays, higher guaranteed minimum hours for part time workers, 100% pay for 20-year olds and rostering to take into account family responsibilities and safe transport home are all conditions that help Kmart workers balance life, family and work.”

“Kmart workers are pleased this agreement preserves those conditions and many others.”

In addition to preserving valued existing conditions, in this agreement the SDA has also secured additional improvements, such as an additional 15-minute rest break, improved rostering arrangements and two days paid domestic violence leave.

“We’re particularly pleased the new Kmart agreement will contain a total of five days domestic violence leave, with two being fully paid and three unpaid.”

“It is incumbent upon business, government and unions to work collectively to address this problem, and I’m pleased we’ve been able to take these first steps together.”

Kmart staff across Australia are now reviewing their new agreement. Voting on the agreement will take place between 21 November and 30 November 2018.

Media contact: Darren Rodrigo 0414 783 405