UNITE UNION NEWSLETTER Fast Food/hospitality workers- July/August 2016. Big companies making big money. LGBTI rights can be a union issue. Be a part of your union- become a delegate!
welcome to the Unite Union newsletter- all the latest fast food news!
Making big money Profits rise at the big companies If you're the owner of a fast food company in New Zealand, you've had a very, very good year. Restaurant Brands (Owners of KFC, Starbucks, Pizza Hutt and Carl's Jnr) have increased their profits by 8% to $24.1 million. Even bigger profits have been collected at McDonalds. This Year McD's has pulled in $36.7 million, a rise of 19% from last year. After such a profitable year both these companies have paid significant dividends. Even though it is our union members who fry the chicken, flip the burgers and serve the customers, shareholders will get a bonus, while staff get nothing for all their hard work.
Fortunately, it doesn't need to be this way. Because we have a union, we have the ability to organise together and fight for our rights. Over the next few months we will be preparing to negotiate new collective agreements at all the big fast food companies. This is an opportunity to improve conditions, and negotiate pay increases. Make sure you encourage all your coworkers to join Unite. The stronger the Union, the better placed we will be to run a strong campaign. These union campaigns are only as strong as our members. Do you think its time to ask if a company makes this much money is it fair that they don't pay a living wage?
How much money you made...
$36.7 Million
$24.1 Million
When these companies are making so much money- is it fair that our members still start on minimum wage?
A UNION FOR ALL WORKERS
LGBTIQ? UNITE FIGHTS FOR EVERYONE Unite Union is a union for all workers in fast food and hospitality. We believe that it is important to stand up for everyone in our workplaces, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, or what rugby team you go for (yes, even crusaders fans). We all stand together, but we can all face different challenges. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Intersex and Queer people can face a whole range of problems at work that other Unite members would be less likely to come across. Unfortunately, homophobia is still a big problem in society, and homophobic bullying is a problem we come across all too often. But there are other problems too. For example, you may be a trans person going through a series of serious operations as part of bringing your physical and gender identities into line. 5 days sick leave simply wont cover the time off needed for our trans members, and this can often be a source of tension with employers. Unite is there to help represent members facing these problems, and usually we can help make sure these problems are overcome. Unite is proud of all our members, and if you or a coworker is having problems on your site, feel free to talk to your organiser or delegate. LGBTI members join the Facebook group @ LGBQTI UNITE ( Unite Union Members )
Unite Union
's Delegates
Mikesh, McDonalds Delegate Auckland 'I became a delegate to protect and expand the rights of my fellow workers and to be a part of a kickass union that fights and organises for us and for a better world' Unions are membership organisations. This means that we are run by, and for our members. While we have organisers that work full time for the union, those people aren't in charge organisers are there to work for and with our members to help give them the tools to improve life at work. An important part of Unite are delegates. Delegates are representatives of the union in a particular store. It is important to have reps in stores to have contacts on the ground and make sure the union is in touch. A delegate gets training and support from Unite, and it is delegates who comes to our general meeting in December to elect our Union leadership. We are ALWAYS looking for more people to be involved. Contact your local organiser if you think you, or a coworker, would make a good delegate.
JOIN UNITE http://www.unite.org.nz/online_membership_application
ABOUT US
Unite Union is the union for fast food, hospitality and call center workers (and some others too!) We are a membership organisation that is responsible too and led by our members. Together, we organise to improve pay, conditions and respect in the hospitality industry for all workers. Through membership of Unite you benefit by:
INDIVIDUAL ADVOCACY
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
If you have an issue at work, union members can get support to lodge complaints, or get representation if needed.
By negotiating a collective agreement, we can get better pay, terms and conditions than we can achieve by ourselves.
UNION ONLY BENEFITS Union members also receive member only benefit packs, such as vouchers, free medical clinics, discounts and life insurance.
YOUR LOCAL ORGANISER Auckland North/Central Auckland West/Northland Auckland East Central Nth Island Otago/Southland South Auckland Wellington Hamilton/BOP Canterbury
Ben 021 560 127, ben@unite.org.nz Gary 029 445 5979, gary@unite.org.nz Renee 021 447 067, renee@unite.org.nz Bonita 029 445 4959, bonita@unite.org.nz Olive 022 353 0408, olive@unite.org.nz Angelyse 022 077 0881, angelyse@unite.org.nz Jasmine 022 043 0669, jasmine@unite.org.nz Aneta 027 5307560, aneta@unite.org.nz Nicole 021 082 64165, nicole@unite.org.nz