The vast majority of SDA members receive penalty rates on Sundays and public holidays because the SDA fought for them to be part of every Workplace Agreement we negotiate, and we will continue to.
But there is plenty more work to do to protect penalty rates as employer lobby groups and members of the Turnbull Government continue their push to cut penalty rates that will leave thousands of retail workers worse off.
The SDA is working hard to stop unilateral cuts to penalty rates:
1. Fair Work Commission Review
SDA Lawyers prepared and collated evidence to defend penalty rates in the Fair Work Commission review of the Retail Award.
SDA Secretary Peter Malinauskas says the SDA won this battle in 2010 and 2013 and we intend to win it again.
2. Productivity Commission Review
The SDA produced a comprehensive submission arguing to keep penalty rates to the Liberal Government’s Productivity Commission review into the Fair Work Act.
The SDA will also argue against the Productivity Commission’s draft recommendations that propose cutting penalty rates for retail and hospitality workers but not for workers in other industries.
3. National Campaign to protect penalty rates
The SDA is launching a national penalty rates campaign that, like our successful 100% Pay at 18+ Campaign, will be calling on community-wide support to protect penalty rates.
Protect your penalty rates – show your support here.