By James Vassilopoulos

SYDNEY -- Negotiations for an enterprise agreement between the National Union of Workers and Davids, the wholesale grocer, have stalled according to Gary Cripp, NUW delegate at the Silverwater warehouse.

The Federal Court ruled on August 27 that Davids reinstate 52 sacked workers, ending an eight-week lockout. The workers where locked out following a strike over the company's attempt to increase casualisation and the hours worked each week, and to abolish some penalty rates.

The company successfully applied to the NSW Industrial Relations Commission to arbitrate the dispute. The NUW unsuccessfully appealed to the full bench of the Federal Court to prevent the commission from making a decision.

Cripp told Green Left Weekly that the NSW commission almost always makes worse decisions than the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

The NUW wants all working conditions maintained, but is not asking for a wage increase. The bosses want to give a small wage increase for big trade-offs in conditions. Commissioner Monica Smith has heard submissions from both parties and a decision will be made in about two weeks.

Smith has already indicated she will bring the enterprise bargain into line with the state award. Currently, the enterprise bargain contains better conditions than the award.

Under state industrial legislation, an award can only include a 38-hour week. This will mean that NUW members at Davids will have their work hours automatically increased from 36 to 38 per week.

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