Better Read Than Dead: Newtown bookstore staff score ‘historic’ win

The ugly stoush between owners of an iconic bookstore and staff, who were threatened with legal action over “defamatory” posts, is over after a “historic” and “Australian-first” deal.

Workers at a much-loved Newtown bookstore say they have secured a “historic” agreement with their art collector owner after reportedly being locked out of the shop during tense bargaining negotiations.

The dozen or so casual and part-timers at Better Read Than Dead say they are going back to work after unionised workers successfully negotiated better working conditions and pay.

The shop was reportedly shut unexpectedly on Monday following an escalation in the long-running dispute, with staff members last week voting for industrial action.

Staff at the store will return to work this week. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The Retail and Fast Food Workers Union had been asking for safer work conditions and a $25 an hour wage as part of several changes they had been pushing for over the past year at the inner west institution.

“Each of these conditions is far superior to any major or fast food agreement in Australia,” the union said.

Arts philanthropist Pat Corrigan owns the store, according to company records. Picture: AAP/Troy Snook

“It shows what is possible when workers organise in a fighting union and implement direct unwavering protected industrial action.

“We are very thankful to the wider community including over 400 supporters of the welfare fund and almost 300 authors who signed an open letter in support of workers.”

At one point during the negotiations the owners of Better Read Than Dead called in the lawyers and issued staff warnings for “defamatory posts” after taking to social media to divulge their struggles.

Supplied Editorial Better Read Than Dead Newtown workers. Picture: Facebook

Lawyers for the store at the time claimed the posts were defamatory and that the owners of the store were easily identifiable.

The store’s majority owner according to ASIC documents is legendary art collector and philanthropist Pat Corrigan AM.

Mr Corrigan previously said he only had “a small share” in the store and that he “didn’t get involved” in the day to day running of the business.

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