SDA Secretary Peter Malinauskas has welcomed the successful passage through the State Upper House of the historic reform to create two new part-day Public Holidays for South Australia.
“It’s an Australian first but most importantly it’s a fantastic reform that will benefit our SDA members,” Peter said.
“I’m extremely pleased that retail, fast-food and warehouse workers who are working late on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve now have the right to spend these nights with family and friends – or to choose to work after 7pm and receive higher pay.
“Previously, they received no recognition or extra money for working unsociable hours on these festive occasions – and now that has all changed.”
Peter said police, nurses, bar attendants, bus drivers will also benefit from the Public Holidays if they work after 7pm on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
He thanked Upper House MPs John Darley, Kelly Vincent, Mark Parnell and Tammy Franks for taking into account the concerns of South Australian working families.
“While the entire Liberal Party behaved like Ebenezer Scrooge these MPs showed some compassion by supporting the part-day Public Holidays” he said.
Peter said the successful vote in Parliament was in step with a recent Newspoll which showed 81% of South Australians support the higher rates of pay for those who work late on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
“The overwhelming majority of South Australian employees have finished work by 7pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve,” he said.
“For those who are still working late on these important festive occasions, it is absolutely fair they earn a higher rate of pay, and the greater South Australian public believe this too.”