UnionsWA has today commented on the looming penalty rate pay cut for Sunday and public holiday work by those in the fast food, retail, hospitality and pharmacy sectors. Around 60,000 working people in WA will be affected by these cuts. The first round of cuts in 2017 dropped penalty rates by 5%. Now, in addition, from 1 July 2018, penalty rates will be cut by at least a further 10%, in some cases by a further 15%.
Meredith Hammat, Secretary, UnionsWA said:
“Starting on 1 July, around 60,000 West Australians will get a further pay cut when working Sundays or public holidays.
“These working people in the fast food, retail, hospitality and pharmacy sectors are already among the lowest paid in our community.
“Even taking into account the recent National Pay Case wage increase, many working people will be worse off for their Sunday and Weekend work.
“This is unfair.
“Low paid working people usually spend all of their take home pay, mostly with local businesses.
“So, these cuts will harm our local economy in WA.
“These penalty pay cuts come on top of 5% cuts last year and will be at least a further 10% this year.
“For those working in pharmacy and permanent retail staff the additional cuts to penalty rates will be 15% from this July.
“Having to work Sundays or public holidays means losing time with family and friends or missing opportunities to engage in sporting, religious or other community activities.
“Now working Sundays and public holidays also comes with a pay cut.
“There is no clear evidence that cutting penalty rates will create more jobs.”
“Employers profit from pay cuts, some employers will reinvest by hiring more staff and others just put it in their pocket.
“One certainty is that cutting pay for those already on a low pay is unfair.”
Additional information
ACTU Fact Sheet: Penalty Rates Cuts 2018 can be downloaded here.
