The SDA and United Voice are appearing in the Federal Court today to appeal the Fair Work Commission’s decision to cut penalty rates for retail, fast food, pharmacy and hospitality workers covered by Awards.
The first set of these cuts were introduced in July, with more cuts to be phased in each year until 2020.
These cuts promise to hurt thousands of workers across Australia – making it harder for them and their families to make ends meet each week.
That’s why over the next three days, the SDA and United Voice will present their cases and ask the Court to determine:
- whether the FWC acted within its power in deciding to cut penalty rates &;
- how reasonable the FWC’s findings were based on the evidence received.
The SDA’s main objective in appealing this decision is to protect the take-home pay of workers across the country.
If the appeal is successful, workers who received a pay cut on 1 July would be entitled to back pay for lost wages.
No matter the outcome of this appeal, the SDA will continue to do everything in its power to protect workers’ pay and conditions.
The appeal will run until Thursday 28 September and it is expected the Court will make a decision on this matter before the end of the year.
We will continue to update you as this judicial review progresses.
If you have any questions, please contact the SDA on 8139 1000.