SDA Secretary Peter Malinauskas says retail workers need the wage increase handed down by the Fair Work Commission today to keep up with the cost of living.
Over 40,000 workers in the South Australian retail industry will be better off from 1 July this year as a result of the 2.5% increase to the Retail Award rate of pay.
This equates to an extra $17.60 per week for an average full-time retail worker.
“Retail workers covered by the Retail Award must continue to receive fair pay rises in order for them to maintain a decent living wage.
“While it is disappointing that the increase was not higher, in line with the ACTU’s Claim of $27 per week, this decision will help to keep wages above inflation,”
“The pay rise will also help give our local economy a well needed boost as retail workers are likely to spend that extra money locally,” Peter said.
Peter says there is increasing concern about slowing wages growth for lower paid workers in Australia and the consequences it is having on the economy.
“Nothing is more important than a decent wage, without wage increases you reduce the ability for ordinary workers to spend and stimulate the economy,” he said.
The increase will also have a flow on benefit for retail workers covered by an SDA-negotiated Enterprise Bargaining Agreement as the Retail Award is the platform from which the union negotiates those Agreements.
The National Minimum Wage will increase to $656.90 per week.
The SDA welcomes the decision by the Fair Work Commission to increase the National Minimum Wage and will continue to negotiate for higher wages for its members in Modern Awards and Enterprise Bargaining Agreements.