INTERVIEW WITH RHIANNON HOWARD We are also now starting this process in other parts of Australia. We encourage all Factory X workers — no matter your brand store or location — to reach out, get involved and help achieve the wages and conditions we deserve. 17 "It has only been through the solidarity and support of members and workers across the state that we are in a favourable position" In September our members endorsed a final set of claims. Our new task became to engage Danger and Princess workers across Victoria with the set of claims, and drum up support for bargaining. Members from multiple locations worked together to collect signatures on a petition for the Fair Work Commission (FWC) in case Factory X refused to come to the bargaining table. On 18 October 2023, Danger and Princess delegates, along with other members sent the first email to Factory X requesting they bargain. Disappointingly, but not surprisingly, Factory X declined. In response, RAFFWU took the petitions to the Fair Work Commission for a Majority Support Determination. Over the last few months many members have worked tirelessly to reach majority support. We aim to bring Factory X to the table by the end of the year so that 2024 will see Danger and Princess workers in Victoria achieving far better work conditions than ever before. It has only been through the solidarity and support of members and workers across the state that we are in a favourable position, and we aim to continue this into the future. The solidarity of workers across the state has been huge, and the impact of union support can be seen largely at the Dangerfield site in Brunswick. On the 8th of November, workers from the store along with RAFFWU, met with Factory X upper management and human resources. The members of the store had been campaigning for the election of a Health and Safety Representative (HSR) so that workers were able to represent themselves and their colleagues in matters of safety, but also monitor the employer’s measures to comply. The workers and Factory X came to the agreement that four employees would be allowed to complete the HSR training and hold that position for the store. With a total of ten employees at the location, an HSR appointment for 40% of the staff load is an incredible achievement. This win comes only as a testament to the strength of the members at that store.
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