Countdown deal a stepping stone to a fair pay agreement for supermarkets

Countdown deal a stepping stone to a fair pay agreement for supermarkets
The collective agreement would offer wage increases of around 12% and a living wage of $23.65 an hour. (Image: NZME)
Jem Traylen
A new national collective agreement for 18,000 Countdown workers is being hailed as the first step towards a fair pay agreement for all supermarkets.The ratification process is still under way, but First Union spokesperson Ben Peterson told BusinessDesk the vote is clearly in support of the deal offered by employers.The deal for a two-year collective agreement would see wage increases of around 12%, a starting living wage of $23.65 an hour, better sick leave and pandemic leave, and a commitment to working collaboratively on urgent security and...

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