Grill’d Workers United is a worker-run campaign for fair pay, safer stores, and real respect. We’re Grill’d team members standing together to make our workplaces fairer, stronger, and genuinely worth working in.
Grill'd Workers United began in December 2019 as a practical, worker-led effort to challenge Grill'd's use of traineeships to underpay staff. We focus on real help: answering questions, creating materials for stores, supporting delegates, and coordinating with the United Workers Union (UWU).
GWU has been built by current and former Grill'd team members, giving workers a direct say in how our campaign works and what we prioritise.
GWU collaborates closely with the United Workers Union (UWU), leveraging their legal and industrial expertise to back workers' efforts for fair treatment and enforceable outcomes.
GWU's work is grounded in the real experiences of Grill'd workers, providing clear information, and helping teams take safe and effective action on issues.
GWU is not a union. We’re an independent, member-run campaign of Grill’d workers. GWU works closely with the United Workers Union (UWU), the registered union representing Grill’d employees. UWU provides Grill'd workers with legal representation, bargaining support, and the formal union power that makes our wins possible. Together, we combine grassroots organising with union strength to deliver real change for Grill’d workers.
We set our materials, tone and priorities based on worker experience, and we publish practical guidance quickly when workers need it.
We back UWU’s organising and industrial work, helping recruit, share updates, and translate legal wins into everyday store practice.
The strength of GWU comes from our members, and the values we share in every store.
Everyone deserves to receive fair treatment, safe working conditions, and dignity on the job.
We hold Grill'd to its promises, and expect the same integrity from ourselves.
Knowledge is power. We share information with every worker so they can act with confidence.
We speak up, stand up, and support others to do the same, even when it's hard.
We're stronger together, building solidarity across every store and state.
We believe in honesty, clarity, and openness. Real change starts with workers talking to each other, and being heard.
Steady pressure, clear information, and coordinated action with UWU have delivered real outcomes.
Dec 2019
GWU began when Grill’d workers and supporters exposed dodgy ‘traineeships’ that underpaid staff, and a series of safety issues. Sparked by protests in Canberra and national media coverage, the campaign’s goal was simple: fair pay, real training, and respect.
Early 2020
Together with former union HospoVoice, Grill'd Workers United acted as the bargaining representatives for Grill'd workers during the negotiation of the 2020 Enterprise Agreement (EA). GWU successfully advocated for key improvements to the proposal with respect to issue such as overtime, and receiving a minimum 10 hour break between shifts.
2020–2022
Throughout the pandemic years, GWU supported workers facing store closures and layoffs. We called on Grill'd to obey its contractual obligations to provide workers their leave entitlements.
2024
As Grill’d’s 2020 Enterprise Agreement neared expiry, workers across the country reignited GWU with new energy and direction. GWU worked with the United Workers Union to prepare for bargaining, focusing on key issues like pay, safety, and respect in the workplace.
Oct 2024
After months of being ignored in bargaining, Grill’d workers took action, led by Flinders Lane store in Melbourne. It became Australia’s first fast-food strike, drawing national attention and showing that Grill’d staff were organised and serious.
Apr–May 2025
The United Workers Union formally challenged Grill’d’s 2024 EA. Hearings revealed it hadn’t been properly explained to workers. The Commission agreed, dismissing the dodgy deal outright. It was a landmark moment proving workers’ voices mattered.
Jun–Jul 2025
Workers across VIC, SA, and NSW joined coordinated strikes to push for fair pay and protections with the new rounds of bargaining for the 2025 proposal. What began as a single-store action grew into a national show of unity across states and roles.
Oct 2025
Under pressure from UWU and the Commission, Grill’d accepted key changes: the reconciliation clause, a ban on split shifts, and weekend penalty rates. For the first time, workers helped shape an EA that would never be allowed to undercut the Award again.
Beyond 2025
Even after the EA win, GWU continues to campaign for stronger enforcement, delegate rights, and workplace respect. From one small campaign in 2019, it’s become the trusted voice of Grill’d workers nationwide.
GWU began when Grill’d workers and supporters exposed dodgy ‘traineeships’ that underpaid staff, and a series of safety issues. Sparked by protests in Canberra and national media coverage, the campaign’s goal was simple: fair pay, real training, and respect.
Together with former union HospoVoice, Grill'd Workers United acted as the bargaining representatives for Grill'd workers during the negotiation of the 2020 Enterprise Agreement (EA). GWU successfully advocated for key improvements to the proposal with respect to issue such as overtime, and receiving a minimum 10 hour break between shifts.
Throughout the pandemic years, GWU supported workers facing store closures and layoffs. We called on Grill'd to obey its contractual obligations to provide workers their leave entitlements.
As Grill’d’s 2020 Enterprise Agreement neared expiry, workers across the country reignited GWU with new energy and direction. GWU worked with the United Workers Union to prepare for bargaining, focusing on key issues like pay, safety, and respect in the workplace.
After months of being ignored in bargaining, Grill’d workers took action, led by Flinders Lane store in Melbourne. It became Australia’s first fast-food strike, drawing national attention and showing that Grill’d staff were organised and serious.
The United Workers Union formally challenged Grill’d’s 2024 EA. Hearings revealed it hadn’t been properly explained to workers. The Commission agreed, dismissing the dodgy deal outright. It was a landmark moment proving workers’ voices mattered.
Workers across VIC, SA, and NSW joined coordinated strikes to push for fair pay and protections with the new rounds of bargaining for the 2025 proposal. What began as a single-store action grew into a national show of unity across states and roles.
Under pressure from UWU and the Commission, Grill’d accepted key changes: the reconciliation clause, a ban on split shifts, and weekend penalty rates. For the first time, workers helped shape an EA that would never be allowed to undercut the Award again.
Even after the EA win, GWU continues to campaign for stronger enforcement, delegate rights, and workplace respect. From one small campaign in 2019, it’s become the trusted voice of Grill’d workers nationwide.
GWU is made by workers like you. Whether you’re new to Grill’d or have years of experience, your voice matters. Join the campaign to help make real change.
Join the United Workers Union
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