We hope you will use this site to help restore our union
RRR SDA Group would like to acknowledge the concerns raised in the comments section:
1. The Group is Victoria based but is for the use of all States and Territories. We would ask that those people who have contacts interstate if they could send them copies of the Newsletter and encourage them to visit our website and inform fellow workers of the site address.
2. The Group is approximately 3 months old and the blog site 2 weeks old. Visits to the site are so numerous we will no longer refer to ourselves as a small group
3. Some of the matters raised on the comments section have caused great concern, the one relating to compulsory night and weekend work is more common than what you think and this is one of many reasons that led to the formation of the RRR SDA Group.
When weekends and nights were voluntary and the penalties were still in place there were always sufficient number of people who were glad to work nights and weekends for the additional pay. Since the removal of the Saturday rate and reduction of the Sunday rate and evening rates and the Employers right under the SDA Agreement to compulsory roster has caused great hardship with family life and personal relationships. There are instances where the rostering of these hours has been used as punishment or to encourage people to leave as a form of wage reduction. Most SDA Agreements have “grandfathering” clauses – which is the ability for employers to put on new people at a lesser rate of pay than the current workforce.
There appears to be a little bit of impatience being expressed by contributors to the site – the timetable to remove Mr. Donovan and his associates is governed by the next election. We need to maintain our ongoing campaign to make members aware that there are alternatives.
Sometime in the future those who are prepared to take on the task and attempt to restore basic rights and conditions will need to start their campaigns explaining what they stand for and generating support which eventually will be a vote for a new beginning.
We can’t stress how important it is that the membership are empowered to make changes.
This can only happen if everyone is made aware of alternatives.
Donovan in the past has not missed an opportunity to promote himself and has a bad habit of claiming credit for achievements actually won by the Union movement in general and the ACTU. One day we hope that the SDA will be welcomed at the Victorian Trades Hall Council.
There was a recent newsletter where he was claiming credit for Christmas Day public holiday, the introduction of industry superannuation –( a large number of Unions had super at least 10 years prior to the SDA), maternity leave – he has no right to claim credit which actually belongs to the ACTU and the Union movement in general.
Has anyone else noticed that one of the enticements to join the SDA is to get discount products? How does a union ever get into a position where there is cross promotion with employers to encourage membership with the SDA and the SDA to promote purchase of their products? The products that the employers and the SDA promote quite often are beyond our reach as our wages are so substandard we can’t afford to take advantage of what’s on offer.
I would recommend reading of the article on site titled “Shop Assistants Sidelined”. Even the most ardent supporter of the SDA would find the information alarming.
RRR SDA GROUP.
Thank you RRR SDA !!
ReplyDeleteCool
ReplyDeleteWhy do they rip workers off?
ReplyDeletewe need to get organised
ReplyDeleteWhy don't they protect workers entitlements instead of allowing employers to reduce them?
ReplyDeleteRecieved new newsletter from another Coles Store will photocopy and distribute. The future looks brighter.
ReplyDeletethis is good - Danielle Jones (Vic)
ReplyDeleteWill be good to see how this is going to get on the road. Obviously, each person working independently will not be effective. I resigned from the SDA over its actions so am wondering which of your two alternative is better... gut the union or rejoin it to change it?
ReplyDeleteFor those people who are intending to stay for a short amount of time, they will not be there for the next election. Those people should resign. Those employees who will be ongoing in retail into the future should retain their membership and their right to vote and consider nominating for elected positions. This blog site is available for your use should you or anyone else choose to stand for elected positions.
ReplyDeleteThose who have caused the decay of pay rates and conditions can only be removed by members exorcising their democratic right to vote.
We are a civilized organization who refrain from making slanderous or wild accusations, however, if there is an attempt to crash our site again, those responsible will be held accountable.
ReplyDeleteMr. Donovan, we would ask you to assist us in stopping this interference. As workers have the right to have points of view, contrary to your own, as well as the right to try to better their rates of pay and conditions, which up to now you have failed to do.
We feel that a strong opposition may motivate the SDA executive to act in the interest of the membership.
To those people who are censoring our newsletters and destroying them, in the main, it has been the SDA reps and store managers. We Australians have the right of freedom of speech and the right to read material without dictatorial censorship.
Regards,
RRRSDA group.
This initiative is exactly what is required in order to take back the SDA from pro-boss leaders. It is only through fighting, militant unionism that our conditions can be defended and improved.
ReplyDeleteI think the tactic of standing for elected positions is the correct strategy. Shop workers should remain in the SDA and fight for a better deal. If all the people who understand what is wrong in the SDA and how to fix it quit, it will only strengthen De Brun and Donovan.
I don't think anyone who supports RRR should resign from the Union, even those who may not be SDA members at the next election. They should stay in the union and try and spread the word about RRR. Not only do they owe this to their fellow workers, but it will have an effect on the wider trade union movement in Australia. While the SDA, the biggest union in the country, is a weak pro-bosses union it will continue to drag down the rest of the trade union movement. The SDA at present also plays a terrible role in giving young workers in their first jobs a bad attitude to unionism.
As an SDA member and worker, I fully support this initiative and look forward to following it's development, and hopefully being invovled
- Militant SDA Member
I work at Safeway at Fountain Gate shopping centre, somebody keeps on putting up RRR information but our SDA rep keeps on removing it, and saying we are not allowed to read it.
ReplyDeleteBut we have managed to get the blog site address before she had time to confiscate and tear up other people experiencing this problem.
Where are we? In communist China? Should I refer to her as Comrade SDA rep or what?
If you need more RRR information, I'm sure they can get it to you.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget she has her own interests at heart. Just keep putting them up on your notice board when you get more flyers and remember one thing, there are good people out there will support you for your good deeds. Go RRR!
Its about time something like this happened.
ReplyDeleteWhen are the next elections?
ReplyDeleteHi All,
ReplyDeleteI have recently received a copy of you newsletter. I have been employed by Safeway as a butcher in Geelong for sometime now and have always seen how the SDA has continuously ripped off its members year after year. As i am a paid member of the AMIEU, I can say that these SDA agreements have been laughable compared to the meat agreements... Until now, Now The company has asked its friends at the SDA to effectivly remove the AMIEU agreement by getting the SDA to cover the Meatroom award in the new national agreement. If i was to work the same roster covered by the SDA, i would stand to lose $200p/w, just in loss of penalty rates. All new butchers employed into the meatrooms after september 2011 will be forced onto the new SDA Agreement, without the choice of being covered by the Meat agreement. Although this does not apply to me, I am still sypathetic to your cause, Safeway have tried to cut out penalty rates for years but the AMIEU would not budge. So what does Safeway do? Get their buddy's at the SDA to do what the AMIEU would not. This is an Outrage. Day in, Day out all I hear from store management is "WAGES WAGES WAGES", To the point where i feel that I am just a financial burden on this company most of the time no matter how hard i work. its not a great feeling. It's about time someone made them pay. I will do my bit to make this group more well known, as i feel that both Safeway and the SDA are working together to pull the wool over everones eyes. A Union is in existence to serve its members, not serve the employer. Maybe thats why the company is so quick in trying to sign new employees up to the SDA, even the new butchers...
By the way, i found the newsletter hidden at the smokers bench. Why not try and slip one into everyones locker? People need to know the truth, not a fabrication.
Thanks for your letter of encouragement. Both the SDA store reps and store managers confiscate our material at every chance so our willing delivery helpers utilise a variety of ways of getting some information into the store. We would ask you to promote the site address not just within Woolworths, Coles, Big W, Kmart and all the large retail companies. Our aim is to encourage people who are members of the SDA to stand for elected positions. The groups sole purpose is to assist these candidates as Michael Donovan has unlimited financial resources (members' money) to promote himself. We are financially strapped and would ask you to photocopy, pass on and share information. From time to time there will be articles posted which can be downloaded.
ReplyDeletePlease assist by creating dialogue at store level and encourage people to take a more active role and be prepared to stand in the next election so that all the conditions lost will have some chance of being reinstated.
RRR SDA GROUP
AS Anonymous Safeway Butcher said: "Wages, wages, wages." This is something we always hear in our large retailer (none of those mentioned above.
ReplyDeleteI have two further comments to make. The first is all of those mentioning union names mention the Victorian branch secretary and not those from other states. Do I read that most of those posting are from Victoria?
The second is that we can all post onto this blog as much as we like but things will not really happen until heads get together and a proper campaign is prepared. So far there has been no mention of any groups actually being formed and meeting (aside from what is inferred by the creation of this group.) How does one get more involved with the RRR SDA Group (other than copying and pushing leaflets into fellow workers' lockers?)
Good on the RRR SDA group for doing what they are doing to upset the current millitant group of the SDA's upper management, ít's about time someone stood up to them, i for one am sick of the ongoing corruption within the SDA and how it affects my workplace, we have a SDA elected OH&S officer, who is completly useless at there job, they are best friends with the store management and when they are asked to follow anything up they simply don't because they can't remove themselves from their own little world and act decisivly as is required from an OH&S rep. Furthermore the corruption of the SDA is shown in there methods of recruitment, i've seen numerous instaces of bully for SDA officers when trying to get membership, one such instance was when a young 15 year old kid was cornered by the SDA officer at an induction and essentailly threatened with the possible loss of his job if he didn't the SDA to represent him, if this doesn't represent the extent that the SDA will go to in order to get memebers then i don't know what will, in closing keep it going whoever is running this RRR SDA, you've obvuously touched a nerve with those right wingers in Donovan the Vic state secretary and with his mate in crime Joe De-Bryne the National Secretary
ReplyDeleteRegards,
Angus McPearce
I must applaud Angus on speaking up, I only hope he doesn’t fall pry to the SDA’s resources and become a victim in its efforts to silence those who speak out against Donovan and De Bruyn and there little club of dedicated DLP, right wing supporters. I myself am a department manager for Coles, and have fallen victim to the loss of my rights as an individual under the Coles/SDA EBA, it started with been asked to work 1 weekend in 4, I thought ok no problems, I can handle that I enjoy my job and get a great deal of satisfaction out of running my department, then it changed to every second weekend, this crippled my life, my then fiancé was becoming increasingly dissatisfied with me not been able to spend time with her, I calmed her down and explained that it can’t get any worse, I’m only trying to help them and work with them, well it did get worse, they then told me I had to work late nights as well, that was it for my fiancé, she left me then and there, since this I have tried to commit suicide twice and am currently getting help from my physiologist to help get my life back on track, I have to take anti-depressants everyday now and still fall into deep depression just thinking about it, as I am at the moment. I write this not to necessarily complain but to help to inspire those who want change and are fighting for it. Give us back our rights SDA its ok for you working your Monday to Friday jobs but your members are out there working hours that are only acceptable in a third world country, helping you line your pockets with funds to re-elect your beloved Michael Donovan and Joe De Bruyn.
ReplyDeleteRegards,
A formally faithful SDA member
Now loyal to the RRR SDA movement
Fellow worker from Geelong we agree whole heartedly with your position on this issue. We here at Altona Gate support the RRR SDA movement and the cause they are on. We look to the next move of the group. May others be not scared to speak out.
ReplyDeleteNow a loyal supporter of the RRR SDA movement.
To the poor bloke who lost his fiance' over his roster changes...You poor bugger!!!
ReplyDeleteI dont want to give to much information away, as i am in fear of WOW/SDA sending a hit squad after me...
ReplyDeleteIn my Store the other day i noticed a group of new recriuts heading in to the training room. It was a group of about 20 people. When i walked passed the training room, I stuck my head in to notice everyone being seated and who was running the training session... A HR Officer and the SDA Union Rep working side by side. It would seem that it was a training session with the sole purpose of signing on these naive new employees to the SDA, no doubt... I didnt hang around long enough to find out, but it seemed pretty obvious...
So, Mr Donovan, Mr De Bruyn, How much have these big corperations paid you to bend their way. I suppose it wouldn't be too hard for you guys to sleep at night when your pillow is stuffed with the entitlements YOUR UNION took off its paid members, and the paid members of other unions working under the same roof that have nothing to do with you, and that you dont even care about. SHAME SHAME SHAME.
I got an Idea for the RRRSDA Movement, get a few current and ex-employees together, get some statements and get A Current Affair on the job, im sure they would love to cover the story on the union that cares more for the Greedy Corperations than the little Aussie Battler who pays his $7 dollars a week just to get shafted constantly... Oh, and get a chatty SDA members card with meager discounts.
Love this site, Im back everday to look at it, its like an addiction. Keep up the good work
Regards
Anonymous Victorian...
Thanks for the support. Please assist by passing on the site details to as many retail workers in as many different companies as possible.
ReplyDeleteanonymous meatworker. ive worked hard and long in the meatroom and have fought to keep all our penalties, it makes me sick to think the SDA and woolworths have gone behind our backs and done this dirty deed. if the SDA had half the backbone the AMIEU had we wouldn't have this problem, maybe they need more people who are willing to stand up and fight for what is right instead of just lying down.give it to them RRR
ReplyDeleteI am an SDA store rep and had been instructed to throw out any RRR SDA GROUP material. I have just visited the blogsite and discovered that the comments in relation to the SDA are in fact true. In the future I know who I will be voting for, the current leadership have never had to fight an election before which is I feel the root of all our problems.
ReplyDeleteMost retail workers having read the material supplied come to the same conclusion. That's why it's important to encourage people to look at the site.
ReplyDeleteThere's no way this blog will work. Nobody cares about sda, rrr sda. At the end of the day all I care about is putting food on the table and if that means working eight days a week in a supermarket then I will.
ReplyDeleteStupid blog site,nobody cares, and by the way, none of my kids goes by the name anonymous.
The frustration that you are feeling has led to the formation of RRR SDA GROUP. You write explaining your own situation but spare a thought for other people who find it difficult to knuckle under. At one stage there were people receiving penalty rates (which have now been removed). There are part-timers who have lost 20% of their hours and don't forget the casuals who now receive 20% when they used to receive 25%.
ReplyDeleteThe reduction of these conditions results in families struggling to meet basic needs. As a parent you would know the feeling of having to say "no" because of insufficient finances. All the site asks of you is to study the information, let others know of the site and for you to make your own decision in relation to who you vote for in the future.
Like yourself, most people like to remain anonymous for fear of jeopordising their jobs. But if people of goodwill do not try to improve our working conditions, if our children follow us into these occupations, and there be no advances, only reductions, then we have failed them.
Hey RRR SDA group, is it true that in Queensland all of the shop assistants are getting there 200% back for sunday rosters. If this is so, then why can't the Victorian branch of the SDA get the same thing for there workers. VOTE DONOVAN and HIS CRONIES OUT.
ReplyDeleteSorry to disappoint you but the current leadership of the SDA lacks the ability to restore conditions. The person you should speak to is Chris Ketter, Secretary of QLD branch, phone no. (07) 3832 3303.
ReplyDeleteThank you for identifying your State as it helps us determine how widespread our RRR movement is becoming.
Whilst I appreciate many of the comments both by the RRR SDA Group poster and by the many who want to support this movement but have to hide their ID for safety reasons, I am becoming a little disappointed in the fact I have emailed the group twice and have yet to receive a reply. I am sure *everyone* - RRR SDA and workers alike - will agree that this is not something people can do alone; support must be seen to be given. Words alone will not achieve success in a fight like this.
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree with this anonymous person. Why won't you reply the there emails and why won't the RRR SDA Group reveal themselves. Sounds like pie in the sky stuff to me.
ReplyDeleteWe apologise for not answering your request earlier. We prefer to deal with fellow members using email rather than facebook. We have communicated with a number of people who have indicated their preparedness to nominate and stand. If you consider yourself to be a good candidate either go straight to the blogsite and explain to fellow members who you are and what you stand for and what commitments you will give, should your election be successful or if you prefer make contact via email for further private conversation.
ReplyDeleteNo body in our group is computer savvy but we have been advised by our technician to communicate via email.
There have been several attempts to crash the site so site security of great concern to us.
Please note that the site has now gone national and when people are nominating they should list which positions they are standing for either State Secretary or President and which state.
Re - Elections
ReplyDeleteWe are attempting to find out when the state elections will be held. If anyone can assist we would appreciate your help.
We are aware that the SDA National Council nominations are on 9am on 11th Octobner, 2010. At this meeting, which is held behind closed doors, they will nominate one another and vote one another into office. No input from members at all.
Hey RRR SDA, aren't all unions the same (election wise I mean). I know for a fact that the meat union is the same. And by the way, what do you mean that nobody in your group is computer savvy, are you all a bit backward. Anyway, I'm thinkin about runnin against that bloke Donovan as a independant but before I do I'd like to meet with one of yous people from the RRR SDA to see what you really stand for.
ReplyDeleteCheers Anonymous.
Our insider informed us today that the SDA contacted the Electoral Commission to run a ballot for both the President and the Secretary positions, nominations will open 1st July, 2010 and will close 16th July, 2010. The voting will take place between 13th August, 2010 and 2nd September, 2010. We are unable to confirm these dates as yet but we are confident our source is reliable. We have stated on numerous occasions that we want a commitment from persons who would like to use our site to promote themselves for elected positions to give an undertaking to attempt to reinstate what we have lost plus a decent pay rise. You have declared your intention to run (well done). If you feel you can make an honest commitment to this cause we encourage you to promote yourself on the site and we will endeavour to promote the site as much as possible to assist you. The site was created for you and people alike to use at no cost. We look forward to your nomination.
ReplyDeleteI am the poster who raised the concern on 6/15 regarding the lack of replies to off-blog emails. Thank you for the information immediately above. Re the dates, I note there is as yet nothing on the AEC website, but it will obviously appear in due course. ( http://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/AEC_Services/Industrial_Elections/index.htm )
ReplyDeleteYou say: "we encourage you to promote yourself on the site..." Do you mean in this area or in the blog archive area? Obviously, once I post such comments, I will be "coming out of the closet." I can only hope the message will be able to get around those obstructive Shop Stewards who are protecting the existing board.
Oh... forgot to ask. Is anyone aware if the Articles of Association or whatever stipulate a minimum time in which a member must be a member of the Association to be able to nominate for President or Secretary (in Victoria?)
ReplyDeleteForgot to ask even more... is anyone aware of what the cutoff time is for members to join and still be able to vote?
ReplyDeleteIncidentally, I looked at the classified rates for the Herald Sun.. bugger as they would be around $10,000 for a quarter page. I am working on other ways to get this into the media but in the meantime only hope that RRA SDA is now widely known enough for the message to get out.
ReplyDeleteElection dates can be clarified by ringing the SDA direct on the following numbers:
ReplyDeleteNational Office - Melbourne (03)8611 7000
Newcastle & Northern NSW - (02) 4961 4694
Western Australia - (08) 9221 4321
NSW - (02) 9281 7022
VIC - (03) 9698 1400
QLD - (07) 3832 3303
TAS - (03) 6331 8166
SA - (08) 8364 5022
FURTHER INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON OUR BLOGSITE UNDER "ELECTION NOMINATIONS" AND FOLLOW LINKS TO AUSTRALIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
Thanks for that. Incidentally, I note that another site of value is Fair Work Australia. It shows that, unfortunately, the SDA elections are not supervised by the AEC.
ReplyDeleteI have sighted confirmation documentation in relation to forthcoming Victorian SDA elections. What you have stumbled upon is that the Federal election positions are not overseen by the AEC.
ReplyDeleteOMG what a bunch of softy sooks,too frightened to take up a challenge and be up front about your issues, I for one have been extremmely supportive and successful at resolving workers issues in my store.What about you? Oh no! You'd rather hide behind some one else and let them take the fall. Hence your call for other people to nominate for the positions at election time.If you really had an "insider" then people reading this should be concerned about how disloyal this person is and why he/she doesn't have the courage to stand up to the so called "evil SDA Leaders" instead of being a "rat" within the ranks.
ReplyDeleteI have some understanding of where you are coming from. However, I am also aware that standing up to superiors often means cutting off your nose to spite your face. Simply look at how many people, including me, post under "Anonymous"... and including yourself. It is quite possible the "insider" has tried to change the SDA's direction and failed.
ReplyDeleteI am already doing a lot of preparation work with the view to nominating for the position of Victorian Secretary/Treasurer. I have been a secretary of a branch in another field and I can see it is not for everyone.
Many workplaces are full of people too frightened to speak up as it may cost them at least extra hours, if not promotion and even their jobs. All talk but - unfortunately - no action. Equally unfortunately is the reality of life.. and work.
Let's not lose sight of the direction we need to take... to replace the current SDA team with one that has a greater respect for its members.
What makes RRR SDA any different? What experience do you have to negotiate working conditions? Do you (RRR SDA) even realise that striking is illegal and there are penalties both personal and to the organisation that apply?
ReplyDeleteStiking ( Protected action )is not illegal. it is protected under the fair work legaslation.
ReplyDeleteVery few negotiations end up in protected industrial action and most end up achieving real gains for the workers, and dont sell off working conditions to do so.
Anyway why are you talking about striking? I understand this site is about bringing about change in leadership , and that is a good thing.
I say that if there was a credable change to the leadership of the SDA that is driven by the membership then there would be plenty of experienced negotiators (who care about there members) who would be willing to stand up and assist workers gain better wages and conditions.
I ask everyone to not be distracted. talk to your work mates. distribute information,and stand up and be counted.
if any one commenting on this site is a paid official of the SDA then I think you should identify yourself to the members of this site so as we can take your comments and put them into context from which they have come.
ReplyDeleteThe previous five entries have been interesting to read. There is obviously some people out there who don't understand the function of the site. I would refer these people to
ReplyDelete1. Blog Archive - Shop Assistants sidelined as Vic ALP turns corner
2. What Do we Want? - Contact RRR SDA 15.6.22010
3. What Do We Want? - Restore SDA
There is also a second group who do understand the function of the site which is to enable members to offer their services, spread their message without incurring any cost. This has been explained in numerous places on this site.
We congratulate the person who has assisted members in their workplace but remember there are 100,000 of us who are working under sub-standard agreements.
The current leadership obviously have no negotiating skills, their past deeds speak a thousand words.
We respect people's right to contrary views and would invite SDA employees not only to make negative remarks but put forward their plans for undoing the damage done by the current leadership.
We invite the current leadership to use our site to make commitments and your plans for restoring our conditions (in all of our Agreements).
It is good to see the interaction between contributors but we feel sorry for those trying to defend the SDA because this position is untenable.
HI ALL
ReplyDeletelike the geelong butcher i work for safeway and was told by a new butcher that he was told to join the SDA by there rep & the safeway H R person he joined the meat union when we explained that safeway write the agreements and get donovan & his puppets to tell us how good they are. [good for the company not the workers]
We have been contacted via email by a fellow SDA member who raised the question as to a worker's right to be present and to represent himself during negotiations for the forthcoming Coles Agreement as allowed by Fairwork Australia.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, he needs to contact his employer informing them that he wants to represent himself or have a nominated person represent him. The Union's permission is not required. The request should be made to:
Employee Relations Manager,
Coles Supermarkets,
800 Toorak Road,
TOORONGA, VIC., 3146
We presume the negotiations will take place in Victoria as both the SDA and the company's head office's are in Victoria. If the enquiry is an interstate one and it is not practical to attend in person both the company and the SDA have telephone conferencing systems in all states and I feel that if approached in the correct manner they would have no objection in allowing an employee or member the use of this facility. The contact person for negotiations is Mr. Joe De Bruyen, Federal Secretary SDA (as it is a Federal Agreement).
Thank you to the young man in Queensland - the link to the facebook site has been accepted. If there is anyone else who knows of any suitable sites could they please contact us on the email section of the blog.
ReplyDeleteI note things seem a little quiet here notwithstanding the fact that 1 July has passed. It seems your source was a little out with the dates for the opening of nominations. They appear now to be some time Sept-Oct.
ReplyDeleteThe source was right. As posted in the herald/sun early last week nominations opened on the 1st of july until the 14th of july. There are two vacancies I believe. You can ring the SDA. If no-one nominates then there is no vote.
ReplyDeleteThere were two independent reports in relation to the election. If anyone can inform us the actual date the notification appeared so that we can confirm.
ReplyDeleteTo the SDA workers who have suggested that they were going to stand, it may be time for you to contact the electoral commission and ask for nomination forms.
The notice was in the herald sun on thursday July 1st. Nominations are called for:
ReplyDeletesecretary/treasurer and assistant secretary/treasurer.
Nominations open on the 1 July and close on 16 July at 11.00am.
Cheers Mark.
Information was correct. The SDA are distributing newsletters about promises in relation to Public Holidays implying that they run the State government but you will find no newsletters or notifications that the election process has commenced. Should you or anybody else wish to stand and reverse the SDA direction, visit the Election part of the site. Nominations opened on 1st July and will close 16th July, 2010.
ReplyDeleteI have just arrived home from work and found the latest SDA magazine in the letterbox. We have a notice on the board at work promising that we will be getting the full ANZAC day next year, however the enclosed newsletter says it'll be in four years time. The second handout about Campbells Wholesale talks about discounts but doesn't mention a figure. I work at Coles Lilydale, Coles already supplied us with a 5% discount card, are you suggesting that we no longer shop where we work? But instead should shop at Campbells? Where is the closest Campbells to Lilydale?
ReplyDeleteIn the "Remember This...?" section on page four, you refer to the loss of penalty rates, we lost our Monday to Friday penalty rates, our Saturday penalty rate and a reduction of Sundays penalty rate. Roster protections, we have no right in relation to rostering, we can be made to work nights and weekends. Loss of tea-breaks, non of our casuals have had tea-breaks for years. It used to be when we worked four hours we got one. My casual workmates receive a rate of time plus 20%. It used to be 25%.
My husband who is employed by Woolworths as a butcher will next year lose his penalty rates after 6pm, his 75% penalty rate on Saturday and a reduction on Sunday of 50%. He also wants to know why the current wage rates in the Woolworths article do not mention meat departments rate of pay? He feels this is because that they are inferior to what they have under their present agreement, the promise of saved rates is a nonsense. In theory, an existing employee for working Saturday will receive a days pay plus $120 penalty loading. New employees will receive a days pay only. Both the SDA and meat-workers are aware that Woolies will roster those on normal rates of pay.
I noticed the article on Facebook where you have stated that lowly employees should never think ill or say bad things about the company they work for or in some instances the managers in their workplace who are just out and out bullies and you have stated these remarks should never be made anywhere. Could you please ensure that at department managers meetings they no longer make derogatory remarks about us who are employed in different sections?
One more thing, you have mentioned the upcoming state and federal elections, why is it that our union, the SDA, have not notified us members that there is currently an election for state secretary and assistant state secretary positions? A friend of mine rang the SDA office, made the enquiry, on the first occasion he was told it was in November/December. Upon reading the blog site, he rang back and questioned this and was then told the elections were over. The whole of the magazine speaks about different elections, I asked the question why haven't we been notified about our internal elections? And why are people who make enquiries given mis-information or untruthful statements? My husband suggested I make the enquiries on the RRR blogsite as a warning to others. All information posted on the site has a ring of truth about it.
The last paragraph above is similar to my experience. I was the one who posted above on 5 July saying the elections were in Sept-Oct. That info was obtained on 1 July.. from the SDA. At the same time as I asked for the election dates, I also asked for a set of the Branch rules, and was directed to the National office. I obtained a set from there and checked to ensure I was aware of the rules governing elections. From there I advised this group I would be standing for the secretary/treasurer position.
ReplyDeleteHowever, upon going to the AEC, I was shown the Victorian branch rules and see I have not been in the union long enough to stand. Therefore, I unfortunately advise this group I will not be standing as originally intended.
I only hope members will stand for the two advertised positions. It would be nice to say that we should boycott the elections but there won't be any if there aren't any candidates other than the two current officers.
Further to my post above, I have done two things. Firstly, contact Fair Work Australia regarding the rules. They have advised they may be found on http://www.e-airc.gov.au/006nvic/rules/ At least I have them for the future.
ReplyDeleteThe second thing I have done is to contact the person in the Aust Electoral Commission who is handling the election. He advises firstly that they do not put all elections on their website, hence why the SDA election is not shown. He also was concerned about the SDA's 'obstruction' to notification of the election but it is out of his area. I will write to the Industrial Elections section of the AEC to force an opinion on this and also find out why not all elections are posted on the website.
It is a pity that no-one appears to have stood against the current Secretary and Assistant Secretary.
ReplyDeleteIn my previous post I mentioned having contacted FWA. Unfortunately, they, like the AEC, have not been interested. In the meantime, we need to keep an eye out for when we may be able to call a Plebiscite (which must be signed by not less than 5% of the members) should the State Council or Conference make decisions not agreed to my the members in general.
We also need to start feedback through Shop Stewards - friendly or not - that there is considerable dis-satisfaction with the current leadership.
I note both my letterbox and this site has commented on an upcoming election. However, there is nothing about any candidate other the Michael Donovan. Does anyone know who the other candidate is - or are? I assume an election is being held because someone other than MD has lodged a nomination form. It certainly hasn't been through the RRR-SDA.
ReplyDeleteA nomination has been accepted by the Electoral Commission. There were numerous attempts by different members to nominate but owing to an SDA rule, the Secretary's position can only be contested by a person within excess of two years continuous membership. A number of the applicants were ex members who thought there was some hope of being able to improve conditions. Once it was confirmed that the Secretary's position was up for re-election we informed via email people we knew who were interested in standing. This site is for the use of all SDA members to promote their cause and when the candidate thinks it appropriate they have been invited to use the site.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the person who nominated would like to post something about him/herself on this site so we can be better informed.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know anything about the alternative candidate, Sam Mete? What is the RRR-SDA's stance on the situation?
ReplyDeleteInformation has been posted on the site from the new candidate, Sam Mete, under Elections (Vic). Any enquiries in relation to the candidate concerned should be directed to Sam Mete, details provided on his newsletter.
ReplyDeleteI am a HSR at the Safeway distribution center in Mulgrave and i just received a telephone call from one of Michael Donovan's campaign goons, he asked me if i would be endorsing Donovan in this current election, my reply was that he has been in the job to long and its time for change.I also made it known i did not endorse him in the last election either.
ReplyDeleteDominic Bovo
hi guys have sent out flyers to Safeway DC Mulgrave .I dont know if they got to their destination as Safeway /Woolworths sites have been instructed to destroy any material about Sam Mete.The reason being he is committed to restoring all the conditions that the DC lost a few years ago ie 36 hour week .I am working for Sam Mete and am a Store Manager but cannot reveal my name as i may be fired or worst still may get a promotion haha.Thats what woolies do these days to Managers who play up hmm.anyway get behind Sam he is a dedicated Union man and HSR who attends every SDA divisional meeting only so he could see whats going on.Whats going on is the union and Woolies And Coles are definetely in bed together.Time for a change everyone
ReplyDeletethank you to all who voted for myself Sam Mete at the recent election.I managed to get just under 10% of the vote with 1411 votes to Donovans 12891
ReplyDeleteto all of you who didnt vote and there was over 28000 of you out there.Next time get behind me or whoever challenges those clowns and we will win the fight
ReplyDeletedon't forget that by the time the next election is held, you will have all of the woolies and coles meat staff on side when they all join the sda.
ReplyDeleteCheers Mark.
As well intentioned as your comments are, i have an update for you. The Meat Union is still alive and Strong. Coles have signed a new 3yr agreement with the Meat Union, and as a Meat worker I can confidently say that I nor my fellow Meat workers will ever abandon the strength of belonging to the most dedicated Union in Retail
Deletei was at divisional meeting of SDA recently and the question was asked of Michael as to who had funded his campaign and was stunned at the answer.My organisers he said ,well who do you reckon pays your organisers Michael you wanker ,we the members pay their wages and its a disgrace that you make them pay for your re-election.Good on you Sam for sticking it up those sucks who lick Donovans boots
ReplyDeletei was there too what a farce that was
ReplyDeletei cannnot believe Donovan thinks its ok that his employees can fund his election campaign to the tune of 100k plus and expect his opponent to fund his own.We must rid ourselves of this corrupt man immediately if not sooner.
ReplyDeleteI received my SDA newsletter today about public holidays. I have in my possession a sheet published by State Government published in 2008 where the public holidays were listed for this year up until the end of 2012. Are you suggesting that all people in Victoria only get these holidays because actions of the SDA exerting pressure on the state government (crap). Prior to the last SDA election you promised us if we voted for Mr. Donovan you would get your friends in government to give us a four day break, now you are telling us to vote for Brumby so that we can have a four day break at easter. What is your influence over the state government, is Mr. Brumby your personal friend, are you giving membership money to run his campaign? Or do you have something on him? Could you please whatever you have over him to get the reinstatement of our penalty rates, our span of hours - this would be much appreciated.
ReplyDeletehere we go again Donovan you are a clown
ReplyDeleteit is pointless trying to get people to vote against Donovan and co as most shoppies are brainless airheads who cant think for themselves
ReplyDeletehey no where not bribless ateheds where intigant peeple
ReplyDeleteso who cares who is gay
ReplyDeleteIt appears Joe De Bryuen, Federal Secretary of the SDA, the man who actually runs the SDA has a prejudice against gay people. A number of office staff and reps on the road visit our site on a regular basis and correspond through the private section. As of late there have been a number of offline apologies but they state that should they openly oppose the official SDA policy they would be dismissed.
ReplyDeletei dont think Joe cares who is gay otherwise there would be certain people at the SDA out of a job
ReplyDeletei have been told that there are a number or people employed by SDA who have already committed to Sam Mete and co for the next election and are ready to jump ship.Michael would be very nervous at the thought of that but thats democracy
ReplyDeleteyes thats true he has at least five organisers on side i saw him havin lunch with them
ReplyDeletethere is a very high profile person on his side .Tall strong built 60 yo you know who i mean ?
ReplyDeleteDP
ReplyDeletehe was seen with DP and TC at lunch recently hmmm
ReplyDeleteChristmas Day no longer a public holiday thanks to Michael Donovan and his weak pathetic union
ReplyDeleteshould be called SCA the soft cocks association
ReplyDeleteRAWW is coming and they wont be anonymous.Retail and Warehouse Workers of Vic .Get on board and wipe out the SDA
ReplyDeleteyou will need plenty of toilet paper to wipe out the SDA
ReplyDeleteMichael Donovan has joined RAWW ?
ReplyDeletemichael will be outed at next divisional
ReplyDeleteouted?
ReplyDeleteWhat has happened with the petition that members in Queensland were circulating about the need for our union to get rid of the homophobic position that our current leadership has been pushing?
ReplyDeleteIf we can get enough members to challenge our leadership on this we might be able to get media coverage of the opposition to homophobia in the SDA.
There has to be PUBLIC opposition to our rotten leadership cos we'll never have the money to run it all internally.
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ReplyDeleteThere has been media coverage, it was page two of the Australian last week:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/union-revolt-on-same-sex-marriage-ban/story-fn59niix-1226002429479
There is a facebook group called "SDA Members for Same-Sex Marriage" as well. Maybe they can direct you to who to contact about helping.
can anyone have the balls to ask Michael at the next divisional meeting (march 8th) what his thoughts are on gay marriage
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteA sincere public apology from the executive of the RRR SDA GROUP. Some inappropriate comments were placed on our site and they have now been removed. We apologise for not detecting the offending material sooner. The person who was referred to know who they are and we will ensure it doesn't happen again.
ReplyDeleteOur site is for people to have their say and get their message across but personal attacks are unfair. People can have contrary views without sniping and innuendo.
Have you seen this?
ReplyDeleteUnion marriage pressure
Posted on 17 February 2011
Members of retail union the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) have spoken out against their union leader’s opposition to same-sex marriage.
Presenting a petition of 83 signatures at a SDA Queensland branch quarterly meeting, shop steward Duncan Hart said SDA national secretary Joe de Bruyn’s staunch opposition to gay marriage did not reflect the feelings of its members.
“When I read an article about Joe de Bruyn’s comments I was so outraged, I decided I’m going to do something about this. I knew most people in the industry, and the place I work, don’t agree with this,” Hart told the Star Observer.
De Bruyn shared his thoughts following the ALP’s support of a motion from federal Greens MP Adam Bandt calling for MPs to canvas their constituents’ views on same-sex marriage.
“If I had been [PM] Julia Gillard this week I would have put the issue of gay marriage to the vote, killed the issue off once and for all and gotten on with the business of the real issues the ordinary person in the electorate cares about,” de Bruyn told the ABC.
Hart said SDA Queensland secretary Chris Ketter told last week’s meeting the union was taking its position on same-sex marriage because the issue is divisive and would not help Labor’s cause for re-election.
A motion on Ketter’s address was voted on and passed.
Hart said, however, he believes SDA members are not aware of the union’s stance and has called on other members to voice their opinion.
The SDA is Australia’s largest trade union and delegates make up a strong voting bloc at the ALP’s national conference.
info: SDA members can contact Hart at duncan_hart09@hotmail.com
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteadministrators are M.Donovan ,D.Parker and co what a joke
ReplyDeleteso what does RRR stand for?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteSDA are starting to sack delegates who they believe are disloyal to Michelle
ReplyDeleteColes employees beware:
ReplyDeleteYour current agreement has expired. If history were to repeat itself you are about to get shafted once again in relation to give aways. The SDA's Agreement to assist the company with the REM system has cost a large number of people their jobs by the way of reduced hours, creating rosters which have no consideration for family life.
A Target member recently pointed out that they had received a newsletter from the SDA boasting of the recent $10 payrise but when they sat down as a group it became apparent only 6 people in the store were entitled to the $10 owing to the fact that the rest were casuals and part time and were only entitled to a percentage of $10.
You will in the near future receive a newsletter from the SDA speaking of a great victory for working people which will be the reintroduction of some weekend penalties, this will be for people not covered by SDA agreements but all casuals over a short time will have their rate returned to Time & 25%. No credit is to be given to the present SDA leadership but a thank you should be directed to the Federal Labour government who have reintroduced these things back into industrial law.
Last year Mr. Donovan you suggested I vote for you and you would deliver the big Easter break and increases in pay and conditions, its now time to deliver. The current Coles' negotiations is a test. You promised us 5% per year, if you fail to achieve the basic inflation rate without any offsets, then once again we go backwards.
When the Coles' agreement is presented to the members seek more information in relation to rostering and penalty rates. Don't just read the highlighted sections because this will result in us getting shafted again.
It is immoral for today's workers to be asked to decrease the conditions of those who follow us.
Response to cheap shots, we think that your comments are consistent with the sites philosophy. The offending material has been removed.
ReplyDeletenot cheap shots,just reveal yourself ,its your site .gutless
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Anonymous 4/13/2011: The site is for all people covered by SDA Agreements irrespective of race, religion, political affiliation, gender, sexual preference. Take the opportunity and help improve our SDA Agreements. The site is monitored by SDA on a daily basis. Have your say, keep it clean and constructive.
ReplyDeletemonitored or run by sda
ReplyDeleteweak as piss
ReplyDeleteAre all yous gonna trim the fat? does the employerers humen resorces mangers gonna deal with yous direc? i done lots of hours and been not payed proper. Wot do i do with yous and sda?
ReplyDeleteA great article I read about how the SDA failed to stop shops opening on East Sunday!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.socialistpartyaustralia.org/archives/2986
Twitter could be a killer, especially on the issue of same sex marriage. Joe de Bruyn should tell the truth loud and clear to all SDA members about his fight against same-sex marriage. Not many members know about Joe de Bruyn and his fight, and they should! When the Twits start going, Joe we'll get that he his in his own world among his new generation of members!!!!
ReplyDeletesda is so scared of sam mete,they are trying to bar him from attending their meetings.what a joke
ReplyDeletewho are you???? we know who the SDA are you hide behind private emails and anonymous blog site how unaustralian
ReplyDeleteoh and I used anonymous because I believe your radical enough to take aim at ordinary people put up or shut up and stop sending your unsoliciated crap
ReplyDeleteyou cannt even have your dates set in australian format
ReplyDeletei'm taking a bet your bunch of winnges who sit in there tea room all day no commitment to anything but wanting others to do your job, get off your arses, instead of running a whinge site do something positive and constructive all i see here are negatives and i'll take a punt you delete all blogs that are negative to your so called revolt, thats censorship to.
ReplyDeleteWho are you? Names please. :)
ReplyDeleteMaybe everyone should quit the SDA and join the Meat Union I think its cheaper as well.
ReplyDeleteRRRSDA GROUP is now on facebook:
ReplyDeleteSave us from the SDA
just 30 sda members per store to vote against donovan is all we need to get rid of this weak leader.All we need now is somebody to stand against him that we can rally behind
ReplyDelete30 from coles,woolies,target,myer,kmart not to mention maccas and all the other fast food places,it would be a landslide and not only to we get rid of Donovan but all those weak so called organisers who swan around all day having free lunches and lattes pfff
ReplyDeletehey they work hard those organisers,have you seen them eat.What a bunch of overpaid underperforming dickheads they are,one of them got the job because she was on stress leave as a store manager,what a joke
ReplyDelete