Progressive secures three collective agreements

September 21, 2006

Statement from Progressive Enterprises Ltd

Progressive secures three year agreement based around three collective agreements

Progressive Enterprises Ltd is pleased common sense has prevailed and the unions’ demand for a single national collective agreement and an unreasonable initial 30 per cent increase in employment costs have been dropped and a new agreement reached.

Progressive Enterprises Ltd has secured a three year deal with the unions representing staff at its distribution centres, based on the three existing collective contracts.

The deal provides for three collective agreements which reflect the operational differences of the three warehouses and also allows for the structured elimination of site allowances. From today the way is now clear to reopen the distribution centres and for a resumption of work for all staff.

The time frame of the deal provides certainty of planning which is important to enable the implementation of new systems that will improve Progressive’s competitiveness and its ability to deliver lower prices to our customers.

Progressive has been concerned with the hardship felt by returning staff and where appropriate individuals will be provided with a short term interest free loan from Progressive repayable in small weekly increments.

We take this opportunity to thank shoppers for their continued custom and patience throughout this unfortunate industrial action. We also thank the Progressive team and our suppliers who have worked tirelessly to ensure we have maintained supplies of food to the best of our abilities over recent weeks.

Customers should expect to see their local Foodtown, Woolworths and Countdown supermarket return to normal over the next few days.

Marty Hamnett
Managing Director
Progressive Enterprises Ltd

ENDS

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