RAFFWU secretary Josh Cullinan said the agreement,approved by the Fair Work Commission last week,was a landmark deal that increases hourly pay and restores Sunday penalty rates,provides 20 days paid domestic violence leave and 26 weeks paid parental leave.
“The conditions at Better Read Than Dead will be sector-leading on many fronts,” he said.
Cullinan said the agreement was significant because it sets “substantially higher standards in the retail sector than anywhere else in Australia”.
Employee Tahlia Nelson said she looked forward to the new conditions being implemented.
“I’m happy that long-term casual staff members will now have access to permanency if they want it,and my younger colleagues will be paid the same amount for the same work,” she said.
Better Read co-owner Terry Greer did not respond to questions fromThe Sun-Herald,but last yearsaid the collective bargaining process had been a huge cost on the small business.
He also accused the union of waging an adverse media campaign,“which is having a devastating effect on the business that is struggling to survive following the lockdowns”.