We’ve just achieved a massive win for thousands of CBA workers amounting to millions of dollars, and no CBA worker will ever lose their tea breaks without compensation again!
CBA retail branch staff will soon receive a one-off payment in compensation for having been unable to take their tea breaks, amounting to an estimated total of up to $3 million.
The amount paid to each eligible worker will be calculated based on your years of service and employment type, and limited to the last 6 years. The maximum amount payable over the 6-year period will be $750 for full-time employees, 65% of $750 to part-time employees, and 25% of $750 for casual employees.
CBA has agreed to make the payments by the end of 2023 and must do so no later than 31 March 2024.
Read our FAQs for more information about this payment and if it applies to you.
In addition, we’ve also successfully negotiated a mechanism for the future that enables staff to make a claim for payment at their ordinary rate of pay in lieu of the tea breaks every time they’ve been unable to take a tea break.
This will be written into our new Enterprise Agreement and is a huge win, as it means no CBA worker will ever lose their tea breaks without compensation again.
We’ve fought hard for this win
The FSU worked hard to secure this momentous win for our members.
In early 2022, we launched Federal Court proceedings against CBA on behalf of members in response to widespread and ongoing reports that members in retail branches were not always able to take their tea breaks.
Over the past 18 months the FSU’s legal team has been gathering evidence and preparing witnesses for a five-week hearing. We would like to especially thank those members in particular who had been directly involved in the case.
While we had a strong legal argument, a win is never guaranteed, and if we were successful any potential monetary outcome was unlikely to be paid for years to come.
So we’re thrilled to have been able to negotiate such a fantastic outcome that means money back into the pockets of our members sooner!
If you aren’t yet an FSU member, this win clearly shows it pays to belong – join the team that’s winning for you today.
Your FSU Team