How would you feel if you were on annual leave and came back to no job?
Brittany had only worked for Subway for four months when she was terminated, as she was still in her probationary period, she had no unfair dismissal rights.
Brittany...
Read MoreDavid Jones has advised the SDA that it is revising it’s “Wear What You Sell” preferred dress policy.
From the end of July 2017, Intimate Apparel, Shoes & Accessories and Childrenswear will revert to the “Black Out” preferred dress.
This is in...
In good news for casual workers, unions have won an important case to help secure better rights for casual workers.
Unions, including the SDA, are working hard to address the growing problem of casual work and casualisation of Australia’s...
Read More
Over the past two days the SDA has met with Coles as part of negotiations for a new Coles Agreement.
Yesterday the Company provided their opening position and today we responded with our list of claims. You can find our list here.
Over the last ...
SDA and Coles begin negotiations
Today the SDA met with Coles to begin negotiations for a new Coles Agreement and the Company provided their opening position.
Tomorrow, we’ll be taking our list of claims to the Company.
Over the last week,...
Read MoreMedia release | 3 July 2017
The SDA, the Union for Workers in Retail, Fast Food & Warehousing is deeply disappointed by the Fair Work Commission’s ruling not to include paid Family and Domestic Violence Leave in Modern Awards.
SDA National...
Read MorePeople of all walks of life need blood products. Some need it to get them through a serious event in their lives, like cancer or a dangerous pregnancy. Others have medical conditions which mean they need blood products regularly to stay alive or be...
Read MoreThe Union has decided to increase its membership subscriptions effective on and from 1 July 2017.
This is the first increase in 2 years and is very modest taking in to account current low wages growth and the continuing pressure on the take home ...
Read More
The SDA, as your representative, is now negotiating with Coles for a new Coles Agreement.
Your Coles Agreement sets out your pay and conditions and we will be working hard to secure fair and decent wages and conditions for all Coles workers.
... Read More
Are there cameras at your workplace?
Do you understand your legal rights at work when it comes to surveillance?
Here are some useful facts:
The Workplace Surveillance Act 2005 (NSW) is a NSW law only, with no other states regulating...
Read MoreMackenzie is a proud Union member. He joined the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association Newcastle & Northern Branch (SDA), immediately after starting work at McDonalds in January 2012.
As a member, Mackenzie demonstrates a...
Read MoreSDA members often ask whether 'carton counts' or ‘scan rates’ are enforceable and whether they can be disciplined or even warned for not reaching targets set by management.
A carton count or a roll-cage carton count is the rate at which night-fill...
Read MoreElyse worked for a national department store as a casual for 6 years, working an average of 20 hours per week. When she returned to work from maternity leave, she was advised by her employer that there was only an average of 6 casual hours...
Read MoreCaitlin recently stood up for her rights at work on behalf of her co-workers and herself. Her workplace is now a better place to work with all workers receiving their minimum break entitlement – something which hadn’t occurred in her workplace for...
Read MoreChristina Lowe is our May Delegate of the Month. Christina has been a union member for almost 3 years and a Delegate for 7 months.
Christina was keen to share her thoughts about her role as a Delegate.
Why did you become a Delegate?
I became a ...
Read MoreThe Fair Work Commission has handed down the Annual Wage Case, which determines the annual pay rise for workers covered by Modern Awards, writes David Bliss, Assistant Secretary.
What does this mean for workers covered by Awards?
In 2017, the...
Read MoreMedia release | 6 June 2017 | Retail and fast food workers take another blow after modern award wage increase falls short
Just one day after a timetable was set to slash the take home pay of over 700,000 workers earning weekend penalty rates,...
Read MoreAllex injured himself on a jumping castle.
He dislocated his ankle and fractured his right leg. Allex did not think of contacting his Union, the SDA, after his accident as it had taken place outside of working hours. It was on the advice of another ...
Read MoreTHE HON. BILL SHORTEN MP, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS AND ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDERS, MEMBER FOR MARIBYRNONG
WOMEN'S BUDGET STATEMENT 2017, PARLIAMENT HOUSE, CANBERRA
THURSDAY, 11 MAY 2017
*** CHECK...
Last night’s “trickle down” federal budget is another budget for the 1%. We need a budget for the 99%.
It is yet another failure by Malcolm Turnbull and his out of touch Liberal National Government to deliver for ordinary working Australian...
Read MoreQuite simply, "It's just about being fair."
Meet our active 'delegate of the month' the bright,vivacious and outgoing Anita Briggs from Woolworths Lake Haven!
Anita has been a SDA member for 9 years and a Union Delegate for 8 years.
Anita...
Read MorePreparing to go on maternity leave can be overwhelming. If you find yourself in this situation; congratulations, sit back and read this guide:
You may be aware that the government have proposed changes ...
Read More"I want to make a complaint about my working conditions but….
I am scared about what will happen to me and my job if I do.”
“Last time someone complained, things got much worse out on the floor and now we don’t think it is worth speaking up.”
...
Read MoreYesterday, the SDA applied to raise the base rate of pay for retail, fast food and pharmacy workers covered by Awards by 10% in addition to the $45 increase sought by the ACTU.
The Liberal Government has now announced it will fight AGAINST our push ...
Read MoreThe senate has acted to protect the take-home pay of hundreds of thousands of hard-working but low paid people in Australia. Now the legislation and the responsibility to protect working people pass to the lower house.
This legislation will safeguard ...
Harrison contacted the SDA, the union for retail, fast food and warehousing workers, when he was moved department and told his hours had been cut, without reason. Harrison had been working regular hours for months in the same department prior to...
Read MoreIn accordance with the provisions of regulation 141 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Regulations 2009 the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association-Newcastle and Northern Branch advises that a copy of the AEC post-election...
Read More
Check out this morning’s astonishing radio interview with Employment Minister Michaelia Cash.
The Liberal Minister floundered as she attempted in vain to justify her Government’s absurd anti-worker submission that you don’t really need a decent...
Read MoreThe ACTU is asking the Fair Work Commission (FWC) for a $45 a week (6.7%) increase in the national minimum wage.
The proposed rise is above the 2.4% increase the FWC handed down last year when it lifted the national minimum wage by $15.80 a week,...
Read MoreThe Union strongly opposes the continuation of the Boxing Day trading trial and supports five (5) restricted trading days, specifically Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Public holidays remain significant cultural ...
Read MoreMatter No: 2014/305
FOUR YEARLY REVIEW OF MODERN AWARDS : PENALTY RATES
SUBMISSION OF THE SDA -
Transitional And Related Matters
Date 24 March, 2017
SDA Primary Position
Imagine seeing this text on your work noticeboard or being told this in a team meeting:
Recently the SDA has been made aware of an area manager of a large supermarket rolling out a new policy to staff around sick leave. The policy was of...
Read MoreWe already knew that Michaelia Cash was an abysmal IR Minister. Now we can confirm she would make an equally poor green grocer because Michaelia just keeps comparing apples with oranges.
While the Turnbull Government turns its back on 700,000...
Read MoreUnion member Olivia, recently contacted the SDA while in discussions with her employer; a national chemist chain. Olivia’s long term partner had been offered a high paying job abroad. As her partner is the breadwinner of the family, and Olivia was...
Read MoreHarry Fuller is our March Delegate of the Month. He has been a Union member for 7 years and a Delegate for 1 year and 9 months.
I became a Delegate so my colleagues would have representation for night workers in...
Read MoreAustralian women need to join their union now more than ever writes SDA Newcastle & Northern Branch Secretary Barbara Nebart.
The union movement has been at the forefront of women’s rights in Australia since the beginning.
When women entered...
Read More
Media release | 23 February 2017
The Fair Work Commission’s decision to cut Sunday and public holiday penalty rates means that retail and fast food workers will lose out on more than $1 billion each year while not creating a...
Read MoreHi, my name is Peter Cooper and I'm excited to introduce myself as the new Organiser of the SDA for the Hunter Valley area. I am excited to take on this role and I am keen to get started in the area, assisting our members.
About me...
I was born...
Read MoreTHINK before you post, like, share, send, tweet, re-tweet, snap-chat or instagram!
Recently, the SDA's attention has been turned towards social media policies in the workplace in particular where there has been an increase in disciplinary action...
Read More
Occupational Health and Safety is a major issue facing Australian workplaces and unions.
Many decades of struggle by trade unions have produced healthier and safer working conditions but the level of occupational injury, disease and death is...
Read MoreFor most workers, public holidays mean a day off work with pay to share with family and friends in celebration of significant cultural, social or religious occasions. In the retail and fast food industries, especially, if only it were that straight ...
Read MoreIt’s important that you know what your rights are when it comes to rosters and roster changes.
The SDA often receives calls from members who are considering a proposed roster change put forward by their company.
Members often ask the SDA what can...
Read MoreBreaks are not optional extras. They must be taken and cannot be withdrawn by your employer.
It’s very important to take your breaks when they fall due because they are designed to give you a rest.
A break makes you more efficient and better able...
Read MoreYou have a right to be paid the correct grade:
Employees should be paid in accordance with their correct classification or “grade”.
Enterprise agreements and Modern Awards have a classification section which sets out job roles and the associated...
Read MoreThe Union regularly assists members with issues in their workplaces. It might be that members are being underpaid or are unsure of their rights and come to us for help. Often we may require payslips, rosters, contracts of employment or other related ...
Read MoreCould you survive working in the summer in the fast food industry with no air-conditioning?
Workers in a national fast food store were doing just that until a Union Official visited the store and noticed that the air con unit was no longer working. ...
Read MoreQuite often employees are unsure of their rights around Long Service Leave and when it can be taken.
In the state of NSW, Long Service Leave is governed by the Long Service Leave Act of 1955. Each state has its own Act so if you are seeking...
Read MoreRebecca Holt is our January Delegate of the Month. Rebecca works in Woolworths Newcastle West. She has been a Union member for 12 years and a Delegate for 3 years.
Lyn, SDA Organiser, sat down with Rebecca and asked her some questions about her...
Read MoreThe SDA, the union representing retail, fast food and warehouse workers, has won a victory for H&M workers after successfully opposing an unfair enterprise agreement in the Fair Work Commission (FWC).
Deputy President Bull dismissed the...
Read MoreStephanie had a snowboarding accident at the end of August. She pulled cartilage, dislocated her knee and was written off work for 4 weeks. As Stephanie injured herself outside work, she had expected to pay the cost of her treatment and time off...
Read MoreYour employer is obliged to ensure that your workplace is safe (as far as reasonably practicable), so if you experience or are aware of any problems which create risks to your health and safety at work, you need to report them.
SPEAK UP!
Raising a ...
Read MoreDiane Bickerstaff and Nicole Ferris are Union Delegates at Coles Lake Haven.
We recently sat down with both Delegates to discuss the benefits of working as a team. Both Diane and Nicole agreed that having a colleague to lend support and 'share the ...
Read MoreNarisa works for a national retailer. In 2015, the company trained her as a corset fitter. In 2016, she was trained in prosthesis fitting. As this training is not standard training, Narisa was unsure if she should be paid for higher duties.
When ...
Read More
‘Post-truth’ is the Oxford Dictionary’s word of the year.
The definition of ‘post-truth’ is, “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal...
Read More
Earlier this month the SDA Newcastle Branch participated in a Young Workers Conference.
During the conference a report was released which found about half of young workers have experienced bullying or harassment on the job.
The stories of...
Read MoreRetail worker, Barry*, recently needed a transfer to another workplace but ran into unexpected problems when he arrived there.
He faced an all too common problem. His employer attempted to unlawfully cut his hours from full-time to casual in the...
Read MoreYOUR BOXING DAY RIGHTS
On Boxing Day, Monday 26 December 2016, you are entitled to exercise your legal right to take the time off on the public holiday unless you freely elect to work without any pressure, coercion, harassment, threat or...
Read MoreThis week a major retailer failed to process the payment of wages correctly on time. This in itself is disappointing because many workers were left with an anxious wait while the problem was rectified. Fortunately, through the quick response of...
Read MoreImagine if you took a stroll down to the cash registers at work, popped open the drawer and helped yourself to an amount as small as $5, writes Nina Hutchinson.
You would expect some pretty serious consequences, right? Perhaps an investigation...
Read MoreYou’re working full-time in a job you enjoy and your boss approaches you one day and directs you to go part-time. What would you do?
That’s the dilemma which faced Jack last week.
Jack is a 20 year old fast food worker who has worked full-time...
Read MoreDanae is our Delegate at Woolworths Rutherford. She has been a Union member for nearly 6 years and a Delegate since Nov 2014.
Belinda, an SDA Recruiter, sat down with Danae and asked her some questions about her role as a Delegate.
Why did you ...
Read MoreSo Harold (“now I’m on the side of workers”) Mitchell thinks the RDO needs to go the same way as the dodo bird. OK, we will rise to the bait.
He parades his saw mill working class credentials at the same time as he advocates for “examining...
Read More
Do you know if you're getting paid correctly? When was the last time you checked your payslip? Payslips are vital to ensure that you, the employee, receive the correct pay and entitlements and allow your employer to keep accurate and complete...
Read MoreOur Delegate in Jay Jay’s Kotara, Robyn, recently met with management to advise them that they couldn’t cut back on permanent part time hours without notice. This issue affected both union and non-union members. As a result of Robyn advising...
Read MorePeople of all walks of life need blood products, writes Jade Baker.
Some need it to get them through a serious event in their lives, like cancer or a dangerous pregnancy. Others have medical conditions which mean they need blood products regularly...
Read MoreA warehouse worker who admitted to smoking cannabis the evening before attending work has failed to get his job back in a high risk environment. The worker claimed his dismissal was harsh, unjust or unreasonable before the Fair Work Commission but...
Read MoreThe SDA is deeply disappointed with the announcement this afternoon that Masters stores will cease trading by mid-December across the country.
SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer said that while stores will remain open for the next 12-14 weeks this ...
Read MoreFamily and domestic violence is a workplace issue, writes Branch Secretary, Barbara Nebart.
The SDA is fully committed to supporting initiatives aimed at removing domestic violence from our society and recognises that Domestic Violence is a...
Read MoreOur member, Randall Connell, works at Officeworks and recently noticed that he had not been correctly paid the higher duties rate and first aid allowance in accordance with his Enterprise Agreement.
After investigation and discussions with...
Read MoreAsk a young person how minimum wage increases are determined and common responses will include ‘the boss’, ‘the Government’ and the always amusing ‘I deserve them’. Unfortunately, few young workers are aware that the annual National Wage Case is the ...
Read MoreJenna Schofield is a Bunnings workplace Delegate. She has been a Union member for 3 years and a Delegate since Oct 2015. We sat down with Jenna and asked her some questions about her role as a Delegate.
Why did you become a Delegate?
I wanted to ...
Read MoreYour rights, entitlements and wages at work had been hard fought by unions in Australia for over 100 years.
A fair and just minimum wage, the 38 hour week, breaks, leave entitlements, rostering conditions, penalty rates, workplace health and...
Read MoreAustralian politicians like to pretend the tax debate is complex and we should leave it up to so-called experts (especially former successful businessmen) because apparently we’re all a bit simple, but really it is quite simple.
In the end it is...
Read MoreEducation is the great enabler and equalizer. No matter what is your socio-economic background, whether you or your child attended a Government, Catholic or Independent school or if you live in the city, suburbs or the regions a good education will...
Read MoreA decent retirement which provides all Australians with a comfortable standard of living in retirement is integral to a fair and just society.
That’s why the Australian trade union movement has always fought for the pension and a strong industry...
Read MorePublic services are the cornerstone of a fair community but in the last 3 years the Abbott / Turnbull Government has cut over 18,000 public sector jobs.
These deep cuts have had an impact on almost every member of the community.
From families, job ...
Read MoreMore than any other single issue, this election will be a referendum on the future of Medicare.
In recent days everyone seems to be falling over themselves to defend Medicare. After three years of carving the guts out of healthcare funding,...
Read MoreThere’s just five more sleeps until the election. Thank goodness! Five more days of politicians ambling through shopping centres, handing out at railway stations, wearing hi-vis, kissing babies and (now officially) launching their campaigns.
Then...
Read MoreStatement from Gerard Dwyer, National Secretary of the SDA – the union for retail, fast-food and warehouse workers – re Coles decision
The SDA is extremely disappointed that Coles have not agreed to make undertakings as invited to by the Fair Work...
The Fair Work Commission has awarded a part time cleaner $9187.20 in compensation after he was fired for having a cup of coffee on the job.
The cleaner, an international student on a visa which restricts him from working more than 20 hours a week,...
Read MoreIn breaking news, the Fair Work Commission has just ruled that the enterprise agreement that 91 per cent of Coles workers who voted endorsed, should remain in place, confirming that the vast majority of Coles workers are better off.
Today in the...
Read MoreThe Fair Work Commission (FWC) has handed down its annual minimum wage ruling today.
The FWC heard evidence and submissions from unions, employer associations and other interested parties during an exhaustive process which commenced late last year.
... Read MoreLee Mills is our Delegate in Woolworths Muswellbrook. She has been a Union member for 3 years and a Delegate since Oct 2013.
Kim, an SDA Organiser, sat down with Lee and asked her some questions about her role as a Delegate.
Why did you become ...
Read MoreNicole Cox fractured her ankle whilst mowing her lawn when her foot rolled into a divot.
During a Union Official’s visit to Nicole store, Nicole was advised she could claim through the Union’s Accident Insurance. She received a payout of $600.
The ...
Read MoreThe Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is urging voters to check their enrolment details before the upcoming federal election campaign.
The electoral rolls will close on May 23rd, ahead of the July 2 poll.
Electoral Commissioner Tom Rogers said ...
Read MoreSafety is union business and the SDA - the union for retail, fast-food and warehouse workers - makes no apologies for that.
Grace Collier’s opinion piece in The Australian, 3 May, insinuated that by running accredited workplace health and safety...
Read MoreMedia Release: Wednesday 4 May
$4 internship program a pathway to exploitation
The Turnbull Government’s PaTH internship program announced in the Federal Budget appears devoid of practical protections and will pave the way for further...
Read MoreLast night Scott Morrison and Malcolm Turnbull delivered their first (and hopefully last) budget. It was a slick sales job. The Liberals say this is a plan for jobs and growth — but it’s really a plan to deliver tax cuts for multinationals at the...
Read MoreSDA member Maria Lockwood turned up to work at ‘The Base Warehouse - The Entrance’ last September for an extra shift. Instead she was handed a letter that gave her the sack for reasons which she strongly denied. Her employer would not even talk to...
Read MoreCatherine Sparke contacted the SDA after working for 10 years for an international fast food chain.
The franchise owner was being very difficult about Catherine's resignation. After some intervention from the SDA regarding notice period and...
Read MoreA new ruling from the ATO means that pizza delivery drivers must be paid as employees and not contractors for the purposes of superannuation obligations.
University of Sydney economist Dr Michael Rafferty told The New Daily that the decision is...
Read MoreAimee Ringham, a manager at a Charlestown clothing company, recently contacted the Union, shortly after becoming a member. She was concerned her wages were not being calculated correctly. While the SDA can only represent members with current issues...
Read MoreCongratulations to Fiona Madafiglio who has won this issue of The Distributive Worker’s ‘Barbara’s Brainteasers’.
Read MoreThe Attacks
Currently there is a three-pronged attack on your rights at work and your right to compensation for working weekends.
Attack One: Employers
Employers have made applications to cut workers’ rights to penalty rates on the weekend....
Kaye Stevens, a long standing Union member working for Myer Charlestown, recently suffered a fall which left her with a broken wrist.
Upon speaking with her store Delegate, she was advised she could claim on the Unions accident insurance which...
Read MoreA 20 year old Melbourne woman, Kahlani Pyrah, has launched Federal Court action against fast-food company Grill‘d.
According to Pyrah, "A few months ago, one of our friends was unfairly sacked, and people came to me because they knew I was a member ...
Read MoreA sixteen year old KFC worker in Geelong suffered horrific burns to his face and body in a workplace accident on Friday night.
Tyson Grieg, 16, an experienced cook, worked for KFC for 2 years when the incident occurred.
'I was shocked at how...
The SDA recently held a national week of action for our 100% Pay at 18+ campaign in August (3rd-9th).
The week saw Organisers and Delegates campaign in-store to raise awareness for the cause which currently has 56,536 supporters Australia wide to...
Read MoreJade Baker, Industrial Officer writes:
Here are some of the things you are entitled to as a casual employee:
After a long drawn out Workers Compensation battle, one of our SDA members, Sharon Bailey, had a nice win last year. Sharon Bailey was injured during the course of her daily duties. While on Workers Compensation, the company deducted Sharon’s days ...
Industrial Officer, Jade Baker writes about Your Rights at Performance Meetings.
A regular feature of the Union’s work is providing assistance to members before, during and after performance meetings. Far too often members find themselves in...
Read MoreA group of members from a national retailer recently contacted the union after staff members received a letter from their head office, which upon reading, they did not understand. The store Delegate contacted the SDA office on behalf of store...
The role of the Women`s Officer is to help our members maintain the balance between their working life and time with their family.
While many of the issues we deal with are specific to women, we can also advise the many dads who need to know...
Clarissa Horsley writes:
To whom it may concern,
I would like to cancel my SDA Newcastle Union membership. I am not sure if I am also still classified as a Union Delegate but if so then I would like to officially resign as delegate as well.
...You have a right to be paid the correct grade:
Employees should be paid in accordance with their correct classification or “grade”.
Enterprise agreements and Modern Awards have a classification section which sets out job roles and the associated...
Read More
