Up until a mere couple of weeks ago, 20 year-old Kahlani Pyrah was an employee at the Grill’d outlet in Camberwell – a reasonably affluent suburb in Melbourne’s inner east.
“Ms Pryah was sacked after raising questions with Grill’d about a WorkChoices-era “Greenfield Agreement” that removes overtime, penalty rates and undercuts award pay.”
“Ms Pyrah received advice from her union that Grill’d staff could ask the Fair Work Commission to terminate the job contract and receive their full award entitlements.”
“Ms Pyrah held a meeting with co-workers to discuss their options and circulated a petition to management asking to be paid full award entitlements which was signed by eight staff.
But despite repeated promises over many months Grill’d management failed to satisfactorily address staff concerns.”
“On 30 June Ms Pyrah applied to the Fair Work Commission to terminate the Work Choices-era job contract.
Ten days later Ms Pyrah was sacked by Grill’d.”
United Voice Victorian Secretary Jess Walsh went further, describing the incident as “disgusting treatment.”
“Kahlani’s case is a shocking example of just how hard it is for vulnerable workers to join together and have a voice at work.”
“Kahlani has been incredibly brave speaking up for her coworkers and asking Grill’d to respect their legal rights. For that, Grill’d has tried to silence her and force her out of her job.”
Kahlani herself started a petition to be reinstated by Grill’d – the job helps her support herself whilst studying in Melbourne, having moved from regional Queensland – with the online campaign at last count having just under 14,000 signatures.
“I want my job back. I want my workmates to get paid the award minimum and I want Grill’d to respect our right to join a union and speak out. This is supposed to be a democratic country so it should be our choice. But it’s not. Many of my coworkers are just too scared.“
In a short statement, Grill’d denied all claims made by Pyrah and United Voices.
“The owners run a values-based business that prides itself on providing a safe and enjoyable workplace for its employees. The franchise partners at this restaurant work hard to make staff and community responsibilities their highest priority.”
“These claims are vigorously denied by management and will be strongly defended.”
The claim lodged to the Fair Work Commission also states that employees were not properly registered as trainees, that training took place outside of work hours and was unpaid, that meal and uniform allowances were removed, and that employees have been forced to purchase their own uniforms.
