The Woolworths Thread

[the way to go]

can someone clear up the pay increase percentage change, from what i read here, its gone down, but my SDA person told us it had gone up, and i dont believe him haha

supervisor pay grade depends on the state
NSW: 3
QLD: 3
WA: 4
SA/NT: depending on # of staff
Vic/Tas: not specified

[britto89]

The old phone system didn't plug into the PA amp, at least not in my store. It was also delivered through the same computer as the music. I could tell, because if someone was talking on the #6 PA, then if someone started talking on one of the silver mics, it would drown them out. This is what happens with the current system also.

Also, i didn't know about it being sent to head office and back. I thought because that VoIP protocols are always pretty slow.

pretty sure you'll find it did because we used to be able to adjust the volume of the PA in relation to the volume of the music using the dials on the PA amp and i can currently see the old cord where it used to hook into the old phone system.

@iMatthew - What state are you? Because in NSW and QLD supervisors are Grade 3.

[bensneddon]

can someone clear up the pay increase percentage change, from what i read here, its gone down, but my SDA person told us it had gone up, and i dont believe him haha

supervisor pay grade depends on the state
NSW: 3
QLD: 3
WA: 4
SA/NT: depending on # of staff
Vic/Tas: not specified

In my store (and all that I know of in WA), Supervisors do not get paid Grade 4 unless they are actually the non-salaried CSTM, as there is a clause about wage control, rostering and staffing.

Supervisors get paid Grade 2 with an in-charge allowance related to how many people they are in-charge of (e.g. 10+ is 11.2%)

So for WA stores, the new agreement is actually a reclassification of service supervisors

[iMathew]

Vic supervisors do get grade 4, same as DM and SSA/SSO (full 20yo adult wage regardless of age), but the new agreement is confusing...

[BSammy]

I think the new agreement, for us VIC super/SSA etc is saying we don't want them to get grade 4 anymore, so new people won't. but if you're already receiving it, you won't lose it.
that's what i gathered from it anyway.

[nanakid12]

I have no idea what grade I get when I supervise, I just know that it's $19.86 per hour. So, for new supervisors, does this mean that they will only be getting paid the same amount as if they are an operator?

[nanakid12]

Did I kill the conversation? I get the impression I always seem to do that...

[bensneddon]

Look what I found...

For those of you who haven't seen it already - the complete proposed agreement:
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/51108201/WO...520version.doc

[nanakid12]

Ha, I'll take that as a yes.

[iMathew]

I have no idea what grade I get when I supervise, I just know that it's $19.86 per hour. So, for new supervisors, does this mean that they will only be getting paid the same amount as if they are an operator?

I get 21.11 so you must be on grade 3? And no, it means they will get grade 3. AFAIK it's referring to the states that give grade 4 for supervision. If you get promoted to supervisor after the commencement of the EBA, you'll only get grade 3 but if you're already receiving grade 4 in your state, you'll continue to get it.

[nanakid12]

Ah I see. You lucky duck.

So is Grade 4 the same as what the waged 2ic would get?

[iMathew]

Well our 2IC gets grade 4 but the current EBA says that 2IC's should only get grade 3, so idk.

[ekul444]

So cigarette plain packaging is officially all systems go. High Court ruled against the tobacco companies. Companies must begin manufacturing in the plain packs from October 1 and retailers have until December 1 to clear old stock, from then plain packs only can be sold.
Pretty big deal for all the smokeshop operators out there!

Interesting that the Australian Retailers Association opposes the laws. One stat they were pedalling is

“Retailers now face the costs of plain packaging transactions which will see a significant increase in the time taken to complete a transaction as all products will be near identical. Transaction time increases are estimated to cost businesses up to half a billion dollars, which is the equivalent of 15,000 jobs.

Thoughts?

[BSammy]

Question.

Can you be made to work on Christmas Eve, when you have an availabilities form in which lists you as N/A on Mondays. (Christmas Eve is a Monday this year)

Edit: Checked with the union, they agree with me, I can't be forced to work. Now to wait and see.

[lambsie]

There should be a clause in the EBA where if you work the night before Christmas and New Years eve, and give notice for intention to not be on, they can not unreasonable refuse it, think it's something about required staffing levels I think.

Had to work Christmas Eve and New Years eve last year...No penalty rates either Was alright since the Duty Manager bought us all pizza!

Anyway, managed to burn my CSM in front of customers today. Happened to work my first day shift in about a year, then she asks 'It's a lot more busy in the day isn't it?', replied 'Not really when you roster one operator from 7pm!' Don't think she was impressed, guess I won't be seeing her face for another few months again

[nanakid12]

So cigarette plain packaging is officially all systems go. High Court ruled against the tobacco companies. Companies must begin manufacturing in the plain packs from October 1 and retailers have until December 1 to clear old stock, from then plain packs only can be sold.
Pretty big deal for all the smokeshop operators out there!

Interesting that the Australian Retailers Association opposes the laws. One stat they were pedalling is

Thoughts?

I was actually talking with a customer about this today, she laughed and said "Yeah, that'll never happen."
I said "I dunno, it was on the news the other day about the court victory, and that'd they'd have to do it pretty soon."

She scoffed at me and said "Yea, you don't know what you're talking about" and walked out.

I get all the nice customers

But I am fully in support of this legislation, I don't see how the tobacco companies should be allowed to retain ANY rights at all (to their brand) if they make all their income from a product which will eventually kill someone. And if it helps reduce smoking, what's wrong with it? The benefits outweighs the negatives IMO.

[nanakid12]

Also, so happy... we no longer have preswipe!! I was grinning from ear to ear when I found out.

[BSammy]

There should be a clause in the EBA where if you work the night before Christmas and New Years eve, and give notice for intention to not be on, they can not unreasonable refuse it, think it's something about required staffing levels I think.

Had to work Christmas Eve and New Years eve last year...No penalty rates either Was alright since the Duty Manager bought us all pizza!

Anyway, managed to burn my CSM in front of customers today. Happened to work my first day shift in about a year, then she asks 'It's a lot more busy in the day isn't it?', replied 'Not really when you roster one operator from 7pm!' Don't think she was impressed, guess I won't be seeing her face for another few months again

There is clause 7.14 which is close. Doesn't guarantee the time, and it's only after a certain time, but it ensures they try to at least.

Work after 6.00pm on the Thursday Eve before Good Friday, Christmas Eve and
New Year's Eve, will be subject to the following provision:

7.14.1 Within the reasonable requirements of staffing levels for a store, requests
by full-time or part-time employees to not be rostered to work during the
above times and days shall not be unreasonably refused. Provided that
where the Company is unable to obtain sufficient volunteers to work, the
Company will, subject to the Act, retain the right to direct the working of
the employee's normal roster.

7.14.2 Employees need to advise the Company at least 4 weeks prior to the
Thursday Eve before Good Friday, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve
that they do not wish to work at that time or day.
7.14.3 The Company will seek volunteers at least 14 days in advance to finalise
the rostering needs and advise employees at least 7 days prior.
7.14.4 Where an employee's request is granted the hours shall be subject to the
normal make up time provision of subclause 4.10.

[BSammy]

Question.

Can you be made to work on Christmas Eve, when you have an availabilities form in which lists you as N/A on Mondays. (Christmas Eve is a Monday this year)

Edit: Checked with the union, they agree with me, I can't be forced to work. Now to wait and see.

Work still think they can make me work. I've stopped stressing because I know I'm right, I'm not going to make a fuss about it but I'm not going to back down.

If they piss me off too much then i'm just going to quit, right before they use me in the office during the SSO's holidays. It hurts the wrong department, but it should at least send the message. :P

[britto89]

So cigarette plain packaging is officially all systems go. High Court ruled against the tobacco companies. Companies must begin manufacturing in the plain packs from October 1 and retailers have until December 1 to clear old stock, from then plain packs only can be sold.
Pretty big deal for all the smokeshop operators out there!

Interesting that the Australian Retailers Association opposes the laws. One stat they were pedalling is

Thoughts?

I wonder if this means we will not see peter stiverson soft packs after 1st December.

Also, just as a side note is it just me or does the american date format (Month-Date) seem to occur more and more in Australia. How you have October 1 and December 1 made me think about it.

[BSammy]

yeah, but saying the month out makes it obvious what you mean.

if people started actually using the american date format like 12/21/2012 instead of 21/12/2012 then there would be confusion. as dates like 10/09 could mean two different things.

[iMathew]

IMO it's dd/mm/yyyy all the way.

[vanessaslam]

Does anyone have any tips on the group interview? I got a call for an interview at Big W today and I am by no means a 'bubbly' or social person so I'm a bit terrified to be honest. Any help would be appreciated!

[the way to go]

bad news guys!

the new phone numbers DO have their ID blocked.

good luck to them when they wanna contact me.
never answered blocked calls, not going to now.


and sorry vanessaslam, i didnt do a group interview, but hopefully someone else here has! best of luck!

[lambsie]

Does anyone have any tips on the group interview? I got a call for an interview at Big W today and I am by no means a 'bubbly' or social person so I'm a bit terrified to be honest. Any help would be appreciated!

You don't need to be all that bubbly and all, and to be honest sometimes people like that get beyond my nerve.

Dress well, get involved without being annoyingly flamboyant. So they will most likely ask questions like what other companies that are part of Woolworths Limited. Show them you know your stuff, so instead of going Woolworths Duh!, answer brands like BWS, Thomas Dux, Masters, Home Timber and Hardware, etc. Think they get you to do a quiz as well, accuracy is most important I think, speed will help.

You will most likely be told to do a group task about a scenario (someones eye falls out while your serving a customer while your workmate burns themselves, what should you do first? A scenario like that), and present what you think should be done; so ensure that you can get a voice, it's alright if you don't dominate. And always safety first, it's in line with the 'destination zero' rubbish...(**Drops a bottle of sauce, covers it with the box! WIN **).

Sounds like too much Woolworths propaganda from me.