GRIFFITH’S hospitality, retail, fast food and pharmacy workers will be hit by a reduction in Sunday and public holiday penalty rates.
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The change comes thanks to Thursday’s heavily criticised decision from the Fair Work Commission.
Full-time and part-time retail workers will have their Sunday rates reduced from 200 per cent to 150 per cent, while casual employees will drop from 200 per cent to 175 per cent.
Sunday rates for full-time and part-time hospitality employees will fall from 175 per cent to 150 per cent, but the industry’s casual workers won’t be affected.
In the fast food industry, some full-time and part-time employees – classed as level one workers – will see a reduction from 150 per cent to 125 per cent, while casuals will be cut from 175 per cent to 150 per cent.
The Sunday pay cuts take effect from July, while Saturday penalties will remain the same.
Employers and workers have expressed differing accounts of the potential affects on nation-wide retail, and Griffith Central manager Cheryl Wood can see where both sides are coming from.
“It will be good for smaller businesses because they won’t have to break the bank,” she said.
“I also understand the workers point of view because it is what makes working on these day enticing.”
According to Mrs Wood some of the small businesses located in Central have optional trading hours in their leases because of the pressures of opening on a Sunday.
“Some stores will be closed because they need a break,” she said.
“It is the case however with some businesses that unless it is the owner working they simply cannot afford to open.
“People that rely on double time will suffer.
“As would anyone who had that sort of money taken away from them.
“I feel for those already being stretched to the max.”
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