Services
The North Queensland Retail Alliance is you, your workmates, and thousands of retail, fast food and warehouse workers across the North Queensland coming together for a stronger voice at work.
Union members all over Australia win better wages, safer conditions, and a voice at work. It’s no different in North Queensland – when workers come together, we win.
Union members are fighting for:
- Secure jobs providing meaningful hours;
- A better work/life balance with rosters and flexibility that take caring commitments into account.
- A commitment from employers to create positive change and tackle the issue of abuse and violence from customers.
- Better wages, safer conditions, and a voice at work
As a North Queensland Retail Alliance member, you’re entitled to the following benefits:
Expert Advice and Representation when you need it
Your North Queensland Retail Alliance organisers are based in North Queensland and provide expert advice and representation on your workplace rights when you need it. Our organising team is backed by the legal expertise of two of the nations strongest unions, the AWU and SDA. Union fees are $11.30 per week if you work 20 hours or more, $8.05 per week if you work 10 hours per week but less than 20, and $4.50 per week if you work less than 10 hours. If you don’t work in that week – you don’t pay. That’s less than what you might pay for your daily morning coffees over a week, and are 100% tax-deductible.
Negotiation of Wages and Conditions
The North Queensland Retail Alliance negotiates workplace enterprise agreements, which outline your wages and conditions of employment. Employment conditions include annual leave, sick leave, long service leave, redundancy, ordinary working hours, overtime, break times, and superannuation.
Recovery of Underpayment of Wages and Superannuation
Your wages and conditions are determined by the National Employment Standards, the General Retail Indstry Award, Fast Food Industry Award, Storage Services Award, the workplace’s enterprise agreements, and your contract of employment. This stuff can be complicated but if you have been underpaid the North Queensland Retail Alliance will make sure members receive their lawful entitlements.
Advice on WHS, Industrial and Workers’ Compensation Issues
Members have access to assistance on these matters through the North Queensland Retail Alliance affiliated Unions and our partner law firm Optimum Compensation Lawyers. If you need help with a workers’ compensation matter, please contact us on 1800 246 879. This is a no-cost service for members.
Fighting Unfair Dismissals
Unfair dismissals often happen with little notice and can be devastating to the lives of workers and their families. Unfair dismissal applications must be lodged within 21 days to the Fair Work Commission (FWC). So, if you think you have been unfairly dismissed, or are unsure, please contact us on 1800 246 879 as soon as possible for your case to be reviewed.
Accident Insurance
Your Union automatically covers you FREE of charge worldwide when you are a member of the North Queensland Retail Alliance, for amounts up to $16,500 without dependents and up to $50,000 in the case of members with dependents.
All financial members of the Union are covered by the policy provided they have worked in the Industry within 30 days before the accident.
The insurance policy covers members outside working hours for death, total incapacity to work or loss of limbs, sight or hearing by violent, externally visible means.