"Negotiations have died"

Last Friday InvoCare members had their first Industrial action since the 1980’s. The company operating Le pine, White lady, Simplicity, WD Rose, and a host of other funeral companies, walked off the job for four hours.

The reason behind the industrial action? AWU members are seeking an extra week’s leave to provide some work/life balance as they are cyclically rostered to work overtime on weekends.

Members have been in negotiations for a proposed EA to replace their current EA since June of 2022. An agreement has not been reached over this time. AWU Members are seeking a work/life balance and a wage increase to cover the rising costs of living.

Currently the AWU is in discussions around an extra week of leave, the company put a proposal including an extra week on the table. InvoCare have also claimed to introduce a new classification structure, however the assigned value of work for the new senior roles are insufficient for what is being requested and paid in other jurisdictions for the same work.

“It is fantastic to witness so many InvoCare workers who spend their lives caring for others through times of grief and mourning, stand together, unified, and empowered to fight for a fair deal” - Steve Bonica (AWU Organiser)