So the much-lamented penalty rate cuts have kicked in as of right about now. That means that if you work in retail, fast food, hospitality or pharmacy, you’re going to be copping some changes to your Sunday rates from tomorrow.
Thanks to the folks at The New Daily, we’ve now got an idea of what those changes will look like.
The news is not all bad – at least, not initially. With the start of a new financial year, the Fair Work Commission has given us a 3.3 per cent increase to the minimum wage. That means that, for everyone except permanent fast food employees, your Sunday wage is actually going to increase a tiny bit from tomorrow.
Unfortunately, the pay cuts are still going to kick in eventually. They’re being phased in in stages, which means you’ll see your Sunday rate drop on July 1, 2018, and July 1, 2019.
Cop a squizz at the table below, originally from the ACTU via The New Daily.
While Australian Chamber CEO James Pearson has confirmed that Sunday pay will increase for almost everyone, ACTU secretary Sally McManus isn’t convinced that this is all going to be like, totally cool and stuff, telling The New Daily:
“Given that company profits are up 40 per cent, wages are stagnant and inequality is at a 70-year high, it’s outrageous that wowrking people on the lowest wage rates are having their pay cut.
“At the same time, the Prime Minister and his government will receive a four per cent raise on July 1.”
What can we say: the next couple of years are going to be a bit shit for anyone on an award wage who regularly works Sundays – although Labor says they’ve committed to reversing the cuts if they end up in power.
Until then, all we can do is dream of a universal basic income utopia where the only people working hospo are the ones who really bloody love it. You maniacs.
Source: The New Daily.
Image: Image Source / Getty.
