For 700,000 workers in Australia.
The Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA) has welcomed the Senate Committee Inquiry Report which calls for Sunday and public holiday penalty rates to be restored for 700,000 workers who received the first of several cuts on July 1, 2017.
SDA national secretary, Gerard Dwyer said the report, tabled by the Senate Education and Employment Committee, made some important observations on the fight to restore and protect the take home pay of some of Australia’s lowest paid workers.
“The Turnbull Government supports pay cuts that retail and fast food workers don’t deserve and can’t afford. We are pleased this Senate Inquiry has found that those penalty rates must be restored to workers.
“Importantly, the Report found that workers of all ages rely on penalty rates to make ends meet, and slashing take home pay will not boost employment or improve economic growth as claimed by the Government. In fact, reducing incomes will do the opposite.”
The SDA also supported the report’s suggestions that the Fair Work Commission’s ‘Better Off Overall Test’ (BOOT) be improved and strengthened.
“The SDA has always bargained in accordance with the rules as determined by the Commission of the day. We are currently working toward negotiating new BOOT complaint enterprise agreements to deliver strong wages and good working conditions for all retail and fast food workers.”