Workers from Merlin-owned SeaLife, WildLife and Madam Tussauds in three states pushed back for the first time against the boss and were able to secure a new three year agreement which contained pay rises of between 13 15 as well as a whole host of other allowances and penalties.
When workers initiated collective bargaining with Merlin Entertainments in 2022, they were told by management that they would not get more than a measly two percent wage increase, despite soaring inflation.
In the meantime, Merlin, which owned and operated well known attractions such as Madam TussaudÕs, SeaLife and WildLife was banking a $228 million profit margin and increasing executive pay by more than 30 percent.
Our members organised and built an active membership across three states to fight for a fair deal. Young workers across the country went on strike for the first time ever. They did this in the face of sustained intimidation from management, including having police called on them during their strike. Despite being up against a giant, multi-million-dollar international company, members refused to back down and kept fighting for themselves and for each other to win BIG, including:
*13-15% wage increases for all workers, including an increase to hourly rates of up to $1 per hour;
*Penalty rates for all workers;
*Average dive allowance of $16 per day;
*Genuine opportunity for career progression, including guaranteed annual classification reviews; and
*Greater commitments around conversion to permanent employment for casuals
I am looking for a second job because of the poor pay. Im trying to save for a good pair of shoes to stand in for long hours at work. I would prefer to just work my Madame Tussauds job but its just not enough to live on. We have to choose between burning out and having money to live. If we got a wage increase it would help us all so much. Madame Tussauds Sydney worker