Australia's McDonald's workers have agreed to a new pay deal, inspite of their union's advice, in the wake of the coalition's federal election win.
The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association had urged McDonald's staff to knock back the enterprise bargaining agreement because it expected Labor to win last month's federal election and improve penalty rates.
But the union changed its tune following the party's shock May 18 loss to the coalition, but McDonald's employees had already started voting on the agreement.
"The SDA refused to support an agreement that could have locked McDonald's workers out of potential penalty rate rises delivered under a future Labor government, and therefore took the position of advising McDonald's workers to vote 'no' on the agreement before the election," national secretary Gerard Dwyer said on Monday.
He added the coalition's victory meant the union advised workers to consider backing the agreement despite its "shortfalls".
Voting closed on Saturday, with more than 50,000 workers participating and 59 per cent approving the deal.
The SDA says it will try and get to company to scrap an $80 uniform deposit and give all employees working shifts of four hours or more paid 10-minute breaks.
But Mr Dwyer said the agreement would still deliver better penalty rates, a new laundry allowance, a formal process to help casual workers get permanent positions, and pave the way for future pay and condition improvements.
It will now head to the Fair Work Commission for review and approval.
