A Woolworths employee has confronted the supermarket’s board over the huge disparity between her $26 hourly rate, which she describes as “not a living wage”, and the high salaries of executives.
Jo Wright, who works on the supermarket floor in a New South Wales southern highlands store, told the company’s annual general meeting on Thursday she was subject to an unfair rostering system and was not remunerated properly for her experience.
“I work every weekend [and] put my hand up for every public holiday,” the 64-year-old told the board.
“My maximum earning potential is around $55,000 per annum. My bonus for the financial year 24 was absolutely nothing, not even a box of Cadbury’s Favourites.
“It’s not a living wage, and I’m fortunate I own most of my house. I can’t even imagine how my 23-year-old assistant manager, who’s newly engaged, is ever going to afford one even in the regional area that I come from.”
Wright shared her experience during a discussion about executive remuneration in a sharp reminder of the pay disparity between those on the shop floor and head office.
The former Woolworths chief executive Brad Banducci earned in excess of $8.6m in 2023, after his base salary was inflated by a range of bonuses. His successor, Amanda Bardwell, took over as CEO-elect in February and earned $1.7m last financial year.
Australia’s biggest supermarket chain is also a major employer, boasting more than 190,000 team members in Australia and New Zealand across its various business units.
Many supermarket employees earn a base wage of just over $26 an hour, about 40 cents above the minimum award.
The Woolworths chair, Scott Perkins, told the AGM that the company takes feedback from employees seriously.
“An engaged team member will drive an engaged better experience for our customers, which is better for business,” Perkins said.
He told Wright that other Woolworths representatives would liaise directly with her over the concerns she raised.
Woolworths was contacted for additional comment.
Wright told the meeting that some employees sought management roles “for which they are ill-equipped” to increase their pay.
“As a team member with 10 years experience and service, I’m paid the same hourly rate as the new person who has just walked through the door,” Wright said.
“I’m 64 years old, and I run rings around some of my 20-year-old team members.”
The shareholders at the meeting applauded Wright’s comments.
After receiving a strike against its executive pay plans last year, more than 95% of votes were cast in favour of Woolworths’ remuneration report on Thursday, ensuring directors avoided the risk of a board spill.
Last year’s report was voted down after investors protested against executives earning bonuses after two staff members died from accidents while on the job.
Guardian Australia reported this week that warehouse staff are increasingly being pushed to comply with unrealistic and risky standards under an efficiency crackdown.
