Endeavour Group fast tracks minimum wage rise for staff
Following last week’s announcement by the Fair Work Commission that the minimum wage rate would be lifted, Endeavour Group has jumped on the front foot to bring forward pay rises for its staff.
The Commission raised the national minimum wage by 5.2 per cent, however those in the hospitality industry would have to wait until October before the changes could be applied to them.
Except for the 15,000 workers in Endeavour’s pubs and clubs, who will enjoy pay rises between 4.6 per cent and 5.2 per cent as the company looks to alleviate a staff shortage across the business.
The company is fast-tracking the increase by three months to July 1 for all employees under the hospitality award.
Endeavour is also looking to hire an extra 800 people across its 340 hotels and clubs and the Dan Murphy’s and BWS liquor retailing chains.
The Commission had held back on the rise for hospitality staff to assist in the industry’s COVID recovery.
Endeavour Chief executive Steve Donohue said the company did not have to wait to make the changes as it was in a strong position financially.
“As Australia’s largest operator of retail liquor stores and hotels, we acknowledge that we are in a unique position to be able to do this,” Donohue said.
Many of Endeavour’s workers under hospitality awards will be given a flat $40 per week increase – between 4.6 per cent and 5.2 per cent depending on the workers’ pay rate.
The company’s retail liquor outlets linked to the minimum wage decision will see most of its staff get about a 4.7 per cent increase from July 1.
Endeavour has a total workforce of 28,000 and is the largest owner of poker machines in Australia, and the third-largest gaming operator in Australia after Crown Resorts and The Star.
Irit Jackson, 20th June 2022
