Fast food workers win guaranteed hours in New Zealand

The IUF-affiliate Unite Union and Restaurant Brands, which owns the rights to market KFC, Pizza Hut, Starbucks and Carl’s Jr brands in New Zealand, have signed an agreement which fully guarantees workers’ hours and shifts.

The collective agreement signed in 2015 had a formula that guaranteed hours at 80% of the previous three months worked. The new, amended agreement transitions to 100% guaranteed hours and fixed shifts. The passage of the law to ban zero hours contracts in New Zealand set the stage for this change to be negotiated.  

Employers will enter into discussions with each worker to reach agreement on fixed hours and shifts based on what they have actually been working. Employees will also be offered additional shifts when they become available up to a maximum of 40 hours a week, offering the opportunity for stable, secure full-time employment.

Unite National Secretary Gerard Hehir calls this is a massive win for workers.

However, Unite has accused McDonald’s and Burger King of trying to deny workers their rights under both the collective agreements and the law and will be challenging their actions in the courts.