The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) notes Coles acknowledgement that it has underpaid some of its salaried staff in its liquor and supermarket businesses.

These underpayments have been uncovered as part of an industry wide audit initiated by the SDA in early November last year.

That industry audit has involved the SDA approaching Coles and more than 100 other major retailers to conduct an audit of their salaried employees. This project was initiated by the SDA after a number of underpayments were uncovered in the retail sector last year.

While all underpayments are wrong and should never occur, especially not in a major retailer with sophisticated accounting systems, the SDA acknowledges Coles has constructively engaged the SDA in its industry wide audit.

The SDA also acknowledges the company’s assurances that, having identified its problems, payments will be made to affected staff (including interest) and that Coles is working with the union to finalise the issues its audit has uncovered.

The SDA wrote to Coles of November 4th and has had several meetings with Coles representatives on this matter.

The union has been communicating with its members throughout the retail sector since late October, advising them of their rights and offering to assist any of them who believed they may have suffered from underpayment.

Further information:
Jim Middleton 0418 627066