IKEA EA BARGAINING RAFFWU Bargaining Team Member at IKEA INTERVIEW WITH MARY DOYLE What was it like being a part of a Bargaining Team? Being part of Enterprise Agreement bargaining was a great opportunity to be heard and to also support and represent myself and co-workers. It was a hugely empowering and eye opening experience. Were members at your store empowered with having someone at the Bargaining Table? Absolutely, having actual representation meant conversations that would never have occurred otherwise were able to happen directly at the table with lawyers and the decisionmakers. It allowed us to be privy to information and perspectives that may have otherwise slipped past. Was it important to have the support of your union? We are stronger in unity. Being a part of and supported by a union, allowed a point of organisation, empowerment, and a collective voice. Having the power and knowledge both socially and legally speaking makes a huge difference in feeling supported to stand up for your rights without fear of retaliation. Were there any outcomes you feel came about because of the union and that make you proud? Certainly, the introduction of set rosters which were a major issue with staff but a non-issue for IKEA. Union representation and the knowledge of Bill and Josh in these areas meant we were able to introduce this to the agreement and secure implementation. Without a doubt the conversations and organisation supported by the union allowed much broader coverage and helped instigate those conversations to a wider base. I am proud to stand with RAFFWU and workers to fight for better rights and a better future. In fact, we’ve seen wages go backward by a staggering 16% just in the last 10 years at IKEA compared to the minimum wage increases. This is one of the ways the SDA costs all workers. In bargaining, despite our limited action, our team was able to convince management to securitise and de-casualise all work so that for the first time, part-time and full-time workers will have set rosters. The minimum base rate is $26.36 and the agreement commences in March 2024. We also won the first provisions in retail recognising “found family” for queer workers and the right to access personal and compassionate leave for found family. In 2023, RAFFWU bargained for a new IKEA Enterprise Agreement. We built a great bargaining team but our action was limited on the shop floor. We know that where we aren’t taking protected industrial action to secure a better deal, the outcomes are nowhere near as good. IKEA was honest enough to admit this — explaining their Distribution Centre workers at Level 1 are paid 21% more for the same work because they have historically been prepared to take action unlike the SDA. "IT WAS A HUGELY EMPOWERING AND EYE OPENING EXPERIENCE" 12
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