Many managers and assistant managers in the restaurants are unsure as to whether they can join the union or not.

The answer is YES EVERY EMPLOYEE HAS THE RIGHT TO JOIN THE UNION.

The problem is that whenever Unite negotiates and we try to get the managers covered in union contracts the companies stubbornly refuse to allow this.

However, once we have enough managers in the union we may be able to negotiate a separate contract for them.

It is important for store managers and assistant managers to realise that even if they are not covered by a union contract the union can still provide valuable advocacy and support work for them when something goes wrong at work, particularly with regard to closures, transfers, day-to-day issues, and disciplinaries.

Unite organisers estimate that they now have positive working relationships with about two-thirds of managers. The minority of managers who are hostile to Unite often have something to hide, such as bad or illegal practices, and don't want their staff to be able to discuss work issues with Unite.

But the majority of managers allow fair and proper union access to staff and try their best, while under pressure from higher managers, to apply the union contract and proper employment legislation. Often these managers start out being anti-union, but eventually see the positive effects that the union has for staff.

We welcome these managers who are not already Unite members to join up and be part of making a positive difference in the industry. As soon as we have enough managers in our membership we can start negotiating a separate Collective Employment Agreement.