Krispy Kreme’s “zombie” agreement ripping off Australian factory workers

A Krispy Kreme worker has stepped up for her colleagues across Australia, lodging official documents to have the US company’s unfair “zombie” agreement killed.

United Workers Union is assisting the worker who has applied to the Fair Work Commission to terminate global donut giant Krispy Kreme’s out-dated zombie enterprise agreement, made using the Howard Government’s “WorkChoices” legislation and benefitting the wealthy US owners.

In the latest scandal plaguing the food and dining sector, manufacturing workers have been locked into working for wages and conditions at Krispy Kreme  that are well below community and industry standards – and for many years.

The business has taken advantage of the out-dated agreement paying these workers a flat rate that, for most hours worked, is below the Food Manufacturing Award. Workers receive no evening penalty rates for evening shifts where they are rostered on until midnight, no Saturday penalty rate and only 40 per cent of Sunday rates.

United Workers Union director of food and beverage Susie Allison said Krispy Kreme had been paying hundreds of Australian workers wages well below community and industry standards.

“We know that many workers are thousands of dollars a year worse off working under this agreement, compared to working under 2020 Award rates.

“Howard’s WorkChoices zombie agreements still exist and are still hurting workers. Krispy Kreme has been exploiting workers and this zombie agreement has handed the US owners an undeserved commercial advantage.

“The only way workers can win against a global corporation like Krispy Kreme is to be in the union. We applaud our union members like Mele for taking on this fight. Union members are standing up for their rights and the rights of Krispy Kreme food manufacturing workers across Australia by applying for this zombie to be killed.”

Mele Tulimaiau has been a production employee at Krispy Kreme food manufacturing facility for four years and despite working 2pm – 10pm only gets the base rate of $21.50.

“I’m losing $200 a week in penalty rates from working unsocial hours like afternoons, nights and weekends. It’s not sustainable and it’s not secure with no guaranteed hours even though I am a permanent employee. My job is very physical in a high risk environment and I deserve to be getting paid the same wages and conditions that other food manufacturing workers receive under the industry award.

“I decided to take action and submit the application as I am at a workplace with workers at a high risk of being exploited – young people, mothers, migrant workers, people who might not be comfortable to speak up.

“I will be really relieved if the agreement does get terminated as all I want is consistency in my work and to be paid a fair wage.”

ENDS

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