‘Relief’ As Sunday Penalty Rates For Restaurant Workers Are Saved

Clubs workers still at risk


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The hospitality union has thrown its support behind the announcement that Sunday penalty rates for restaurant workers will not be slashed.

The case was to be heard in the Fair Work Commission today, but Restaurant & Catering Industrial (RCI) delivered a statement that they would not be proceeding, instead saying current Sunday pay rates are correct and appropriate, adding that there was no need for further review.

“It was always an unjustified move by the Fair Work Commission to allow RCI to re-litigate their failed attempt to cut Sunday penalty rates in the Restaurant Award from 150 per cent to 125 per cent,” said United Voice National Secretary Jo-anne Schofield.

“RCI were rebuffed by the Commission in the penalty rate cut decision earlier this year on the basis that their case had no merit.

“Their last-minute decision to not pursue the application shows that they knew that their case to cut pay had no merit.

“It is a relief for restaurant workers that their Sunday penalty rates are no longer under attack. It was always perverse that a booming restaurant industry was going on the attack against their workers.

Ms Schofield said the “ball is now in Clubs Australia’s court” to ensure Australian clubs workers are protected, amid attempts to abolish the Clubs Award and replace it with the current Hospitality Industry Award, an Award that was included in the Fair Work Commission’s February 2017 penalty rate cut decision.

“The ball is now in Clubs Australia’s court. The successful $12 billion dollar clubs sector also needs to drop their attempts to relitigate their case and stop attacking the pay of clubs workers,” she said.

“Every weekend and every public holiday, workers in clubs give up time with family and friends to serve their communities. They don’t deserve, and can’t afford, a massive cut to their weekend pay rates."

Troy Nankervis

16 November 2017

Article by:

Troy Nankervis




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