Countdown and FIRST Union have formally signed the new collective employment agreement that will see an average wage increase of 12 percent in the first year and seven percent in the second year, effective immediately.
“This is an important agreement for our business and we’re pleased to have finalised it. It will have a significant and positive impact on our team, both through increasing their wages as well as better supporting them with benefits that reflect the reality of working in grocery retail today,” said Spencer Sonn, Countdown’s Managing Director.
“We want to be an employer of choice, retain great people and ensure that our team can have long, fulfilling careers with Countdown. We believe that this agreement has landed in a place that means we can achieve that”
“Our team across Aotearoa work incredibly hard to serve their local communities and make sure customers have a great experience when they shop with us. This agreement is a clear signal that we back our team and the essential work that they do every day”
“We thank FIRST Union for working constructively with us and representing their members' views throughout this process. We appreciate the valuable insights they’ve brought to the table.”
The agreement also includes a pandemic leave clause for the first time ever, an unsociable hours allowance for those working between 10pm and 1am, a security working group, an increase in bereavement leave, and the ability for teams that work across midnight to transfer a public holiday so they can have a whole shift off rather than half or part shifts.
