Workers from the Cotton On distribution centre are welcoming substantial improvements in wages and working conditions, says First Union general secretary Robert Reid.

Reid said workers from Cotton On distribution centre in Auckland have ratified the first ever collective agreement between Cotton On and First Union

“Cotton On’s CFO arrived from Australia for the negotiations and we managed to settle on substantial improvements to wages and working conditions,” he said.

“Not only were rest and meal breaks restored, but wages were lifted from levels around the minimum wage to levels approaching the living wage. The new collective agreement also includes a redundancy package and penal rates for overtime work.

“Workers at the Cotton On distribution centre are pleased with the outcome from negotiations. First Union also thanks the public for their generous and overwhelming support.”