The EBAs or Enterprise Bargaining Agreements are employment contracts that define employment conditions and benefits between employees and their employers in Australia. The agreement is binding for both parties and is subject to legal requirements, including the Fair Work Act of 2009.

Recently, David Jones, the iconic Australian retailer, sought to implement a new EBA that would significantly affect the working conditions of its employees. The company proposed a new EBA that would reduce the pay rates for new employees, eliminate penalty rates for casual workers, and restrict the entitlements to sick leave and annual leave.

The proposed changes met with a widespread backlash from the employees who formed a union, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), to oppose the EBA. The union argued that the proposed changes would result in wage cuts and significantly reduce the overall working conditions of employees.

The union also claimed that the proposed EBA would negatively affect the job security of employees and would make it more challenging for employees to negotiate for better working conditions. The union claimed that the proposed EBA would further exacerbate the already precarious working conditions of retail workers in Australia.

David Jones argued that the proposed EBA was necessary to remain competitive in the retail industry, which is facing a challenging environment due to increasing competition from online retailers and changing consumer behavior.

The dispute between David Jones and its employees eventually led to a strike by the employees in December 2019, which affected the company`s operations during the crucial holiday shopping season. However, the strike eventually ended, and the dispute was resolved after the company agreed to make several concessions to its employees.

In conclusion, the EBA proposed by David Jones created a significant controversy and sparked a significant debate about the working conditions of retail workers in Australia. The dispute highlights the complex and contentious nature of the EBA negotiation process and the challenges that employers face in balancing the needs of their business with the rights and interests of their employees. Nonetheless, the resolution of the dispute serves as an example of how negotiations can be conducted to ensure fair outcomes for both employees and employers.