SDA News 2016 Winter by SDA NSW

SDANEWS OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE SHOP, DISTRIBUTIVE AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION, NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH I WINTER 2016 I RRP $8.00

SHOP, DISTRIBUTIVE AND ALLIED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION, NSW BRANCH

WWW.SDANSW.ORG.AU PHONE 131 SDA STREET ADDRESS: Level 3, 8 Quay Street, Sydney NSW 2000 POSTAL ADDRESS: PO Box K230, Haymarket NSW 1240 E-MAIL: secretary@sdansw.asn.au

SDA NEWS EDITOR:

Bernie Smith, Level 3, 8 Quay Street, Sydney NSW 2000 Please address all correspondence to “The Secretary”.

UNION OFFICERS: SECRETARY: Bernie Smith ASSISTANT SECRETARY: Robert Tonkli PRESIDENT: Cheryl Cassell

ORGANISERS LEAD ORGANISER: Angela Ghanime

METROPOLITAN: Lena Adam, Anthony Maiatico, Anthony Attard, Caroline Israel, Chris Stefanovski, Mina Papadopoulos, Tina Callaghan, Joel Tynan, Karl San Pedro, Hugh McLaurin, Anthony Day, Joanne Jammal, Whitney Rizk, Alex del Rosario, Jessica Chidiac, Rayanne Li, Alison Varga, Susannah Hoffman, Nikolai Martinovic, Josip Blazevic, Nathan Egan, Thea Noone, Joe Rebbechi, Jessica Robinson.

REGIONAL: Lower South Coast, Southern Highlands & Canberra: Athol Williams and Narelle Atkins  phone 6273 2300 Riverina (Wagga/Albury): Struan Timms  phone 6921 8820 Western NSW (Orange/Dubbo): Louise Buesnell and Loretta Turner (part-time Organiser)  phone 6362 1965 Far North Coast (Ballina/Tweed): Trevor McCosker  phone 6686 4192 Wollongong & Illawarra: Vera Cavanagh and Di Dixon (part-time Organiser)  phone 4228 3611 Port Macquarie and Tamworth Region: Paul Mitchell  phone 6583 8837 Coffs Harbour and Armidale Region: Mariusz Werstak and Bridget Sheridan (casual Organiser)  phone 6650 9950 WAREHOUSING AND MANUFACTURING: Joseph Bourke, John Paul Sialafau, Alex Velickovic,

SPECIALISTS INDUSTRIAL OFFICERS: Phil Walker, Bernard Govind, Mitchell Worsley, Aliscia Di Mauro, Rose Ghabache, Monica Rose WORKERS’ COMPENSATION AND OHS OFFICERS: Michael Babic, Jane Lui SENIOR OPERATIONS OFFICER: Felicity Smithson OPERATIONS OFFICER: Paul Hangan COMMUNICATIONS OFFICERS: Michael Walker, Tim Leong INFORMATION OFFICERS: Corrine Boyle, David Uzzell, Georgina Psillis, Renee Jaajaa, Nadia Mirabella EDUCATION OFFICER: Philippe LeCompte

Have your say on ElecƟon Day As you receive this SDA magazine, Australia will be close to going to the polls on 2 July to determine our next Government. The SDA knows and respects that our members will vote for a range of candidates and parties based on what is important to you. This election, both parties have taken quite different stands on a range of issues. In a recent poll of SDA members, they said that their top issues of concern were penalty rates, health, education and the economy/budget/tax. The positions of the major parties on these issues are set out on pages 6-7 for your information. If these issues matter to you, have a look before you vote. However you decide to vote, make sure your vote counts. There are new arrangements for Senate voting, so have a look at page 17 to make sure you vote in accordance with the new process. Your vote matters. Make sure your ballot paper is filled in correctly so that your vote counts.

Pay rises While the long election campaign has been going, your Union has got on with the things that matter to members, including negotiating pay rises. Inflation is currently quite low at 1.3% p.a, and SDA-negotiated pay rises have

been well above inflation, and well above average private sector pay rises (see page 5).

on this special day? ANZAC Day is a day to stop and commemorate the sacrifices of our service men and women.

Union membership still delivers.

The current arrangement of trading from 1pm, with no work behind closed doors before 1pm, seems to be too difficult for retailers to abide by.

Penalty Rates Campaign The penalty rates case before the Fair Work Commission (FWC) is nearing its end. Employers are still trying to cut penalty rates in awards without increasing base rates of pay. That is just a pay cut. While it is good that Labor has made a submission to the FWC to protect penalty rates, it is very disappointing that members of the Liberal Government have been silent or have called for cuts to penalty rates. Thanks to all members for your support of this campaign. You have filled in thousands of petitions and thousands of you put in personal submissions to the FWC in support of penalty rates. See pages 8-9 for what members have said about the importance of penalty rates. Penalty rates are fair pay for work at unsociable times and any cuts without compensation are not acceptable.

Many shops had staff working behind closed doors before 1pm. This is disrespectful and not acceptable. If it is too hard to abide by the simple rule of no work before 1pm, then the Government should make it simpler and say no work at all in shops on ANZAC Day. Shops should be required to close for the whole day so that we can all stop to commemorate on this important day (see page 11).

Your Vote; Your Choice Aren’t we lucky in Australia that we can have competing groups with very different policies, trying to form Government peacefully through the ballot box? We should all be proud of this, regardless of who you vote for. So make sure your vote counts. I encourage you to vote for fairness and to protect penalty rates, but in our democracy, it’s now over to you to decide.

ANZAC Day Trading ANZAC Day is one of those days where people who work deserve penalty rates. But should there be work in shops at all

Bernie Smith, Branch Secretary

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 3

Happy Birthday, Bert â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 100!

Bert is pictured at his birthday party with local members Tania Mihailuk and Jason Clare and SDA Assistant Secretary Robert Tonkli.

By Robert Tonkli, Assistant Secretary Living treasure Bert Collins turned 100 in March. Bert was treated to a special celebration at Bankstown RSL attended by family, friends and special guests. It was an honour to join Bertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebrations on behalf of the SDA. Bert has had a long connection with the SDA. He joined the Union at his first job at Farmers & Co during the Great Depression of the 1930s (Myer City today). He took a break from this job to enlist in the armed forces during World War II where he saw service in Papua New Guinea. After returning safely, he went back to his old job and to the SDA, where he was the Delegate at this workplace for many decades. He was awarded life membership of the SDA in 1980 on his retirement and has remained a great supporter of the Union in his retirement. Congratulations from all of us Bert!

PAGE 4 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

Fair pay rises secured by the SDA Securing fair pay rises for members remains a top priority for the SDA and a key benefit of SDA membership. Australian retail workers are amongst by Bernie Smith Branch Secretary the highest paid retail workers in the world. This is because Australian retail workers are amongst the most unionised retail workers in the world.

You deserve fair pay rises – SDA is securing fair pay rises Retail, fast food, pharmaceutical and warehouse workers are working harder than ever.

year to March, the average private sector pay rises were less than 2%. That means if the SDA is securing higher pay rises above the average, a lot of private sector workers must be getting less than 2% a year. It pays to belong to the SDA!

Fair pay maƩers - Union membership maƩers Low wage rises are holding our economy back from growing. The level of wage rises in the private sector has been dropping and the level of union membership in some areas has dropped. This is the case, not just in Australia, but across the world.

A recent IMF study links rising inequality to falling union membership. Economic writers in The Australian and the Australian Financial Review have identified low wage growth as a risk to the economy. It is time that some business groups and some members of the Turnbull Government stop attacking fair pay, including penalty rates, and stop attacking unions. It is time to encourage everyone to belong to their union. It is time for business, governments and unions to co-operate to ensure fair pay rises and growing productivity. For fair pay and a healthy growing economy, make sure everyone in your workplace belongs to the SDA.

If you are working harder, a fair pay rise should mean you can buy more with your pay. This means a fair pay rise has to be higher than the rate that prices are rising. Price rises are measured by CPI. CPI, or inflation was 1.3% for the year to March. Most SDA-negotiated pay rises this year have been more than double the inflation rate, which means your pay can buy you more. The SDA has been negotiating pay rises of 2.8% and 3% on a regular basis this year. Some pay rises have been even higher. We have even secured these pay rises in companies where bargaining has been slow (see the table of interim pay rises opposite).

How does your pay rise compare?

INTERIM WAGE INCREASES BY COMPANY 2015-2016 Company Officeworks Woolworths Supermarkets Kmart Dan Murphy’s Big W David Jones

Interim Wage Increases 3% from 1 May 2016 1.4% from 28 September 2015 Additional 1.4% from (backdated to 1 July 2015) 4 January 2016 1.5% from 1 May 2016 1.5% from 1 November 2016 2.8% from 18 April 2016 (backdated to 1 July 2015) Backpay of 1.25% from Additional 2.5% from 1 August 2015 29 February 2016 1.3% from 9 August 2015 Additional 1.6% from 7 February 2016

Total 3.0% 2.8% 3.0% 2.8% 2.5% 2.9%

Private sector pay rises across all industries are at the lowest levels in 50 years. In the

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 5

Your Vote – Your Choice Australia goes to the polls on 2 July. The differences between the major parties is more pronounced than normal, giving voters a clear choice. Your vote is your choice. The SDA knows and respects that members will vote for a variety of candidates for a whole range of different reasons that are important to you. by Bernie Smith, Branch Secretary

However, SDA Delegates around NSW and the ACT agreed that it is important to let members know where the parties stand on key issues that SDA members said are important to them. Because either the Labor Party or the Liberal/ National Coalition will form Government after the election, this article only focuses on where both these parties stand on issues important to SDA members.

Issues Raised by SDA Members Polling of SDA members undertaken by the ACTU indicate that the top issues of concern to SDA members are:    

Penalty rates; Health; Education; The economy/budget/tax.

WHERE EACH PARTY S PENALTY RATES Labor opposes cuts to Sunday penalty rates and made a submission to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) arguing to keep penalty rates. Labor opposed the Productivity Commission report on cutting penalty rates. Labor is unequivocally opposed to cuts to penalty rates that cut your pay. Unfortunately, the Liberal/Nationals did not put in a submission to the Fair Work Commission penalty rate case, even though they could have. Not one senior Liberal/National MP has said the existing penalty rates should be kept. Many Liberal/National MPs have actually called for Sunday penalty rates to be reduced. Protecting penalty rates is a key issue for SDA members and the Liberal/ National party stance on penalty rates

Your Vote – Your Choice

gives no comfort to SDA members.

The policy positions of the two main parties on issues identified by SDA members as important are shown on these pages. There will be many other issues that are important for you too when it comes to deciding how you vote.

HEALTH

The SDA respects that members will vote for candidates from all different parties based on the issues that are most important to them. Please make sure you vote – it’s your vote; it’s your choice – and make your vote count.

PAGE 6 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

The Liberal/National parties reduced future hospital funding by $50b in last year’s budget. This year’s budget put back in only $2.9b of $7.9b of promised additional funding. The Liberal/Nationals have also frozen Medicare rebates to GPs until 2020.

Both the AMA and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners claim this will reduce the number of doctors who bulk bill, and will force GP co-payments in a number of places. Medicare payments for a range of tests have also been cut. Labor has promised to restore more than the Liberals’ $2.9b in public hospital funding. Labor has a policy to index payments to GPs so as to maintain bulk billing, supported by the AMA. Labor doesn’t support cuts to Medicare payments for a range of tests. A strong, well-funded public health system of hospitals and GPs is in SDA members’ interests.

EDUCATION While both Labor and the Liberals/ Nationals have promised to increase education funding, it is at different rates. Labor has promised to fully fund the “Gonski” reforms for six years, including an additional $4.5b in 2018 and 2019. The Liberal/Nationals have refused to fully fund the “Gonski” reforms and will only provide an additional $1.2b for 2018–2020. A strong, well-funded education system is important to SDA members.

Y STANDS ECONOMY/ BUDGET/TAX

The economy is an important issue at every election.

The deficit has more than doubled in the three years since Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull came to office â&#x20AC;&#x201C; from $18b to $39b. In assessing the current budget for fairness, measures from the Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous budgets that are about to come into effect, like abolishing the school kids bonus, must also be considered. To varying degrees, both parties support increasing the level of tax on high-income superannuation accounts, collecting more tax from multinational corporations and increasing the tobacco excise tax. On other matters, the parties do not agree. The Liberal/National parties will provide a tax cut to wealthy Australians earning over $180,000 a year, with a 2% tax cut. The Liberal/National parties will provide a tax cut to small business, but will gradually pass on this tax cut to all companies at a cost to the budget of over $50b. At the same time, they will pursue cuts to family benefits and the school kids bonus. These measures will mean corporations get a $50b tax cut, a person paid $1 million a year would get a $16,715 tax cut, while a couple with an income of $65,000 and three kids in primary school would be over $3,000 per year worse off.

Labor proposes cutting corporate welfare like the Direct Action payment to polluters. Labor also proposes limiting new negative gearing from 2017 only to newly constructed properties. Labor will keep the additional 2% tax levy on those earning over $180,000 per year. Forecasting budget outcomes is difficult for both parties. The Liberal/National parties are depending on tax cuts for the

wealthy and companies to stimulate the economy. The Labor party will not cut taxes for the wealthy or for big companies and will use the money saved on health and education to stimulate the economy. SDA members tend to be on low incomes and are more likely to benefit from improved services and fewer cuts to family payments.

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 7

Why protect penalty rates? Here’s what you said. The Fair Work Commission is currently reviewing penalty rates in the hospitality and retail sectors. The proposal on the table is to cut the current Sunday rate – a move that would devastate the hundreds of thousands of workers across the country who rely on penalty

rk and rker, and to be able to wo wo e im l-t ful a d an nt work nights I am a full-time stude important to me. I have to ry ve e ar es rat y alt pen od on my table. study simultaneously, my rent, bills and put fo ing pay d or aff to st ju and s and public holiday r, force me to wear old ne din ut tho wi me ve lea will Taking away penalty rates ching a bus. tes to work instead of cat nu mi 45 lk wa d an ng thi - Mykola ripped clo

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rates to help make ends meet.

I work on weekends not by cho “ ice, but by necessity. I have had a change of circumstance

As well as taking submissions from

s and at 54 and now a single parent, have had to re-enter the workforce in order to provide for my son and myself. Whilst penalty rates can’t replace being with my fam ily on the weekend, it does com pensate missing out on family time. - Francine

unions, business groups and other interested parties, the Fair Work Commission asked to hear from you

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– the workers. SDA members sent so many submissions that the Fair Work Commission simply couldn’t handle anymore. Personal stories can make all the difference in cases like this, and the stories you told the Commission were powerful. Here are just some examples.

dren, working part-time as I am a single mother in charge of three chil getting cut to avoid being paid a retail assistant. My fortnightly hours keep l for my family’s survival as we need overtime. Receiving penalty rates is essentia I don’t enjoy spending time away that extra income, however little it may be. - Mina necessity. from my family on the weekend but it’s a

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Join the campaign at protectpenaltyrates.org.au PAGE 8 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

B co

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ar we

Save our weekend.

I need penalty rate “ s so that I can pa y my phon Being 18

years old, I don’t e bill and my opal get paid the full card. counts and is esse [a du lt ] ra te so every extra ntial to me. cent - emma

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n facing, at times, difficult management and ofte t, men ron envi il reta ing leng chal ly ical e to my I do a hard day’s work in a stressful, phys e bit extra on Sunday makes a big differenc littl The pay. low ly tive rela for all rs - john a regular stream of abuse from custome wellbeing and motivation.

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“I work unsociable hours due to the fact that I can be

paid with penalty rates. If these rates are cut I wouldn’t be wil ling to work these hours. - rachel

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ilit As an employee with disab “ one in the work hard by starting at y, I

We should be compensated for wo “ rking unsociable hours. I spend time with family

and attend Church on Sundays and it is only fair that I’m given penalty rates to compensat e for missing out on these activit ies. - brendan

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As a full-time tertiary “ student, I alread

u were to cut my I work in retail, and if yo financially ruined, I am penalty rates I would be come from a violent a single mother that has her. We have finally past with my daughter’s fat feet since I started gotten ourselves on our and if the penalty rates working at [big retailer] able to live every week are cut then I will be un earning. on the money I would be - stephanie

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y struggle to make ends meet. Paying penalty rates to workers for s and public morning even on Sunday late nights, weekends and ney to pay my holidays, to get extra mo public holidays is only fair. ependently bills so that I can live ind . ink rel I already sacrifice time with n Cent by myself and not rely upo d fam an ily and loved ones out of ds eken I also want to enjoy we economic imperative. I only do rifice to public holidays but I do sac so as I need that extra cash to pect in the survive, a survival of res ty sup cie plement an already meagre in a so society. A survival to live Working on weekends eats into inc om . e. If it weren’t for fair tively time with independently and proac my family, but sometimes it is a penalty rates I may have to - muhammed necessary part of retail. The only saving grace terminate my studies, thereby to working on weekends is knowing that I wil undermining my ability to l be receiving ar medical additional income with the penalt contribute to society and the “I am currently a 5th ye y rates. Without . ths or the olw pen Wo eco alt y nom at rat y es, ing in I rk the wo uld most likely not work future. student wo do a I , as nt it de wo stu uld al n’t dic be me wo rth ior giving up the time with - lyn As a sen 5 to 8 m my fro fam ily. tal clerkship in a hospi - lynne day, leaving daily from Monday to Fri r part time me only the weekends fo How can you help Protect Penalty Rates? for savings work to earn some cash g 1. Vote to protect penalty rates. I am makin and expenses. Currently, es rat y 2. Sign up to the SDA’s protectpenaltyrates.org.au campaign website penalt ends meet thanks to the ed/ ov rem re 3. Ask your family and friends to sign up too – the more supporters we on weekends. If these we by ted pac im y vil have, the louder our voice will be. reduced, I would be hea me s, putting 4. Like the Protect Penalty Rates Facebook page at the reduction in my wage www.facebook.com/protectpenaltyrates/ in financial crisis. - sean 5. Stay tuned to the campaign and take part in the latest actions.

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Together, we can protect our penalty rates.

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 9

AN ISSUE AT WORK, AS WELL AS HOME For those experiencing family and domestic violence, maintaining paid employment and financial independence is vital to having choices to deal with their situation and successfully breaking the cycle of domestic violence and maintaining as far as possible their home and standard of living. The workplace can also be the safest place for those experiencing domestic violence to find information, and to get the help and support they need to address their situation.

LIVING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE A 2011 Survey of 3,600 union members indicated that:  30% had personally experienced domestic violence  nearly half reported that it affected their ability to get to work due to:  – physical injury or restraint  – hiding keys  – failing to care for children  19% of those who experienced domestic violence said the violence continued at work, including:  – abusive phone calls and emails  – partners physically coming to work to harass and intimidate them  The main reported impact of domestic violence at work was on work performance:  – being distracted, tired or unwell  – needing to take time off  – being late for work. Often these issues can lead to performance management and in some cases dismissal. The recent report from the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence included a chapter and recommendations regarding the workplace, recognising the important role workplaces have in preventing and responding to family violence.

PAGE 10 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

WHAT HAS THE SDA DONE? Enterprise Agreements and discussions with employers: Since 2012, the SDA has included a claim for domestic violence leave in all Enterprise Agreements. We have been very successful negotiating domestic violence leave clauses in most SDA Enterprise Agreements. We also have ongoing discussions with companies about the impact that family and domestic violence can have on members at work and policies they can implement to support employees. Training for Officials The SDA has provided information and training to Officials and Delegates to assist them in helping members who may be experiencing family and domestic violence which is impacting on them at work. ACTU Claim for Family and Domestic Violence Leave for Awards The SDA is supporting an ACTU claim for 10 days’ paid leave per year for employees experiencing family and domestic violence for the purpose

of attending legal proceedings, counselling, appointments with a medical or legal practitioner, relocation, the making of safety arrangements and other activities. If successful, this entitlement will set the minimum safety net for employees experiencing family and domestic violence which will set the standard for all employees.

HOW CAN THE SDA HELP? If you or someone in your workplace is affected by domestic violence, the SDA can help with:  information about and access to entitlements,  negotiating flexible working arrangements,  speaking with management about the impact of domestic violence at work,  advice, representation, support if a member faces disciplinary action or dismissal as a result of the impact domestic violence has had on their work performance,  developing a safety action plan with management in their workplace if necessary. For assistance at work, please contact the SDA on 131 SDA (that’s 131 732)..

SDA officials from across the country recently had the privilege of hearing from 2015 Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty, who discussed the impact of family and domestic violence on the workplace, the vital role workplaces and unions have in supporting employees, and the role the workplace can play in creating cultural change regarding violence. Rosie has launched a new campaign – Never Alone - to help give victims of family violence a voice. Photo shows National Secretary Gerard Dwyer, Australian of the Year 2015 Rosie Batty, National Women’s Officer Katie Biddlestone, and National President Joe de Bruyn. To sign up to the Never Alone campaign, go to neveralone.com.au.

Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Take the Time on ANZAC Day ANZAC Day is a time to stop and commemorate. The SDA has always believed that shops should close all day on ANZAC by Robert Tonkli, Assistant Secretary Day to allow the community to stop and properly commemorate the sacrifice of our service men and women. It is not too much to ask that we all slow down and reflect on ANZAC Day.

In NSW and the ACT, shops open their doors at 1pm. The problem with this is that many retailers have people working behind closed doors well before 1pm, getting the stores ready to trade. This is even though in most of NSW it is illegal to have retail workers working behind closed doors before 1pm. This problem was exposed in the media this year, but has been going on for many years. If retailers find it too difficult to abide by the rules that require no staff before 1pm, if it is too complicated to allow a

half day trade, then the answer is simple â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the Government should require retail shops to close for the whole day on ANZAC Day. Public sentiment supports a proper observance of ANZAC Day. The SDA calls on all decent retailers and the Government to agree to close shops all day on ANZAC Day.

The airforce cadet unit marches by the crowd along Elizabeth St, Sydney on ANZAC Day this year.

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 11

A very happy Easter in the A This year, Easter Sunday was a public holiday for the first time ever in the ACT. This has been a huge victory for SDA members and all weekend workers in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capital. In the week before Easter, a rally was held outside the Legislative Assembly to thank Chief Minister Mick Gentleman, and trucks drove around the city to raise by Athol Williams, awareness among businesses that public holiday Organiser penalty rates applied to work on this day. It was a nice change to hold a happy rally! Here are some photos from the day.

PAGE 12 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

e ACT

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 13

7-Eleven sacks independent p The exploitation of workers that has been uncovered in 7-Eleven is shameful. Since this exploitation has been exposed, the by Bernard Govind, SDA has been working Industrial Officer closely with 7-Eleven workers and Maurice Blackburn to fight for positive change. We are very disturbed by the announcement that 7-Eleven has sacked the Independent Fels panel that was processing underpayment claims.

The SDA has:

Senate Report

set up a confidential 7-Eleven hotline and website;

In March, the Australian Senate released

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called for a visa amnesty;

Exploitation of Temporary Visa Holders”

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called for extra resources for the Fair Work Ombudsman;

identifying widespread abuse of international

called for better franchisor/franchisee regulation;

Of these cases, 7-Eleven is one of the worst.

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helped 7-Eleven workers give evidence to the Australian Senate on worker exploitation; worked with Maurice Blackburn to help 7-Eleven workers make claims to the independent Fels underpayment panel.

a report entitled, “A National Disgrace: The

workers in Australia in a range of industries.

In April, the Fair Work Ombudsman released a report into 7-Eleven which found the head office of 7-Eleven had known of widespread and deliberate underpayments for some time. They also found that the 7-Eleven model led to a culture of underpayment and cover up.

Bharat Khanna, a former 7-Eleven employee addressed a large media contingent outside parliament house on 16 March, telling his story of working 60 hours a week while being paid only $10 an hour and how he was told to “walk” by his employer when he queried his pay. Bharat was introduced to the media by Brendan O’Connor, the Shadow Minister of Employment and Workplace Relations and Bharat was followed by the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten.

PAGE 14 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

In S O di an P u P u In pa w ar al

t panel l

Independent Fels Panel Sacked by 7-Eleven

The SDA condemns the sacking of Professor Fels.

One of the few good things 7-Eleven did in this whole mess was to appoint an independent panel, headed by Professor Fels, to confidentially determine underpayment claims of 7-Eleven workers.

SDA ConƟnues the Fight To protect 7-Eleven employees, the SDA has sought that their confidentiality be maintained.

Professor Fels estimated the underpayments to be $100 million.

We will take all steps to prevent employees’ files being handed over to 7-Eleven.

In May, 7-Eleven sacked the independent panel to bring the process in-house, which would end the confidentiality arrangement that was so important to allow vulnerable works to speak up.

The SDA and United Voice have also set up a website called Welcome to Work to inform international students of their work rights in Australia. Just go to welcometowork.com.au.

Sharing Economy Not Necessarily a Caring Economy There is a lot of talk of the sharing economy or gig economy including Uber, Airbnb and Air Tasker. Perhaps it is part of an agile exciting economy and the ideas boom referred to by Mr Turnbull. Or perhaps they are the same old jobs of taxi drivers, hotel workers and removalists that used to be protected by minimum conditions in awards and EBAs, reimagined as a lowest bidder “wins” approach. Professor Joellen Riley recently shone a light on some of the darker parts of the gig economy and its risks. She identified some jobs being done for as little as $8 per hour (that’s even lower than many 7-Eleven workers got!). She said “Without a thoughtful system of regulation, we leave everything up to the dog-eat-dog world and some people become serious losers and that’s not good for society.” We can’t stop the “gig economy”, but we need to keep an eye on how it develops to ensure this new sharing economy is developed as part of a fair economy.

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 15

Pathway to work or road to nowhere? How does the Turnbull Government’s proposed ‘Youth Jobs PaTH (Prepare-TrialHire) Programme’ measure up? Of course Australians want to support our young people to transition from welfare to work. by Gerard Dwyer, National Secretary

However, employment programs funded by hard-working taxpayers must have safeguards to protect:

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The young employees involved,

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The existing workforce and their wages; and

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The interests of the broader community.

The PaTH scheme proposed in the Turnbull Government’s May Budget appears not to have been properly thought through, and risks creating a pool of cheap labour that is a road to nowhere for the young people involved. We know from the 7-Eleven scandal that some employers are prepared to exploit young workers on a grand scale. Key aspects of the proposed PaTH scheme unveiled in the May 2016 Budget include: 

A $1,000 incentive to employers putting on a PaTH intern;

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Internships would be of 4-12 weeks duration for 15-25 hours work per week;

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Any PaTH internship payment would be in addition to any existing income support (e.g. Newstart Allowance - currently $527.60 per fortnight or $263.80 per week);

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A PaTH intern working 25 hours per week would receive an extra $100 ($4 per hour) (e.g. a Newstart $263.80 + $100 = $363.80 or $14.55 per hour);

The Retail Award minimum rate for a 20-year-old casual is currently $23.73 per hour. On these figures, we can do the following comparison for a 20-year-old casual: 

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$593.25

25 hours in a store on a PaTH internship @ $14.55 per hour

$363.75

PAGE 16 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

But the problems don’t stop with the rates of pay. The Turnbull Government also needs to address other critical questions such as: 

What stops an employer terminating the PaTH intern after 12 weeks and simply replacing them with another taxpayerfunded intern?

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What stops an employer replacing their existing Award rate casuals with a taxpayer funded PaTH intern?

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Would PaTH interns have industrial rights under the Fair Work Act, or not?

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Why isn’t this program monitored by vocational institutions as would be the case with vocational internships?

PaTH without safeguards would allow Award paid employees, particularly casuals, to be replaced by taxpayer-funded interns. thereby lowering wages yet not reducing unemployment at all. It is important to support young people transitioning to work, but the end result must be real jobs with fair rates of pay. A scheme without proper safeguards is an invitation to exploit young workers. A simple ‘trust us’ is not good enough, particularly from a government whose silence on 7- Eleven student exploitation has been deafening. The PaTH internship program as proposed by the Turnbull Government just doesn’t measure up for young Australians, taxpayers or the broader community.

did you know...

25 hours in a store on the Retail Award @ $23.73 per hour

Amount per week below the Retail Award minimum

So the PaTH intern would receive $229.50 less for a week’s work than under the Award, while the retail employer would receive 25 hours of labour fully funded by the Australian taxpayer. A poor outcome for young Australians and all taxpayers.

-$229.50

ABS figures as at March 2016 had 737,300 Australians looking for work while job vacancies totalled 172,900 – that is more than four unemployed people for every vacancy.

Make Sure Your Vote Counts If you vote above the line, you must number at least six boxes from 1 to 6. Place a 1 in the box above the party or group that is your first choice, the number 2 in the box above the party or group that is your second choice and so on until you have numbered at least six boxes above the line. You can continue to place numbers in the order of your choice in as many boxes above the line as you like. Senate Ballot Paper State – Election of 6 Senators B

PARTY

LY ON

AL USE

You may vote in one of two ways Either

PARTY

Above the line By numbering at least 6 of these boxes in the order of your choice (with number 1 as your first choice).

PARTY

UNGROUPED

Below the line By numbering at least 12 of these boxes in the order of your choice (with number 1 as your first choice).

SURNAME Given Names

PARTY

House of RepresentaƟves (Green Ballot paper)

PARTY

SURNAME Given Names

INDEPENDENT

SURNAME Given Names

PARTY

Sample ballot paper

OR Below the line If you vote below the line, you must number at least 12 boxes from 1 to 12. Place a 1 in the box beside the candidate that is your first choice, and the numbers 2, 3, 4 and so on to at least the number 12. You can continue to place numbers in the order of your choice in as many boxes below the line as you like. OFF

Senate Ballot Paper State – Election of 6 Senators

PARTY

AL USE

You may vote in one of two ways Either

Above the line By numbering at least 6 of these boxes in the order of your choice (with number 1 as your first choice).

PARTY

UNGROUPED

Below the line By numbering at least 12 of these boxes in the order of your choice (with number 1 as your first choice).

SURNAME Given Names PARTY

SURNAME Given Names

PARTY

SURNAME Given Names PARTY

PARTY

SURNAME Given Names

PARTY

SURNAME Given Names

PARTY

SURNAME Given Names

SURNAME Given Names INDEPENDENT

SURNAME Given Names

PARTY

SURNAME Given Names

Number all Boxes. You must number every box according to your preference. You place a number “1” in the box beside the candidate who is your first choice. A number “2” in the box beside the candidate who is your second choice and so on until all the boxes are numbered, as shown below.

OFF

You can either:  Vote above the line and number at least six boxes above the line for the parties or groups of your choice (see illustration at top right); OR  Vote below the line for individual candidates of your choice and number at least 12 boxes below the line (see illustration at bottom right).

Above the line

The Senate (White Ballot paper)

How to Vote in the Senate

There have been some changes to how ballot papers for the Senate are filled out. It is important you are aware of these changes so that you can make your vote count.

Sample ballot paper

Whoever you vote for, make sure you follow the instructions on your ballot paper. If you make a mistake, don’t worry – just ask for a new ballot paper. Make sure your vote counts. SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 17

It’s Tax Time Again! The end of the financial year is here again, and before you know it, it’ll be time to get your tax return organised. If you’re preparing your own tax return, it needs to be lodged with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) by 31 October. There are some tax deductions that you may be entitled to, a few of which are outlined here. For more, go to ato.gov.au and type ‘shop assistants deductions’ into the search field at the top right of the page. Remember:  Make sure that you write down all your income on your tax return – include any benefits received from the Government, income from a second job and any interest you received from a bank, building society or credit union.  Sign your tax return. It’s your responsibility to make sure that your tax return is correct even if it was prepared by someone else.  Keep all the records you need to prove your deduction claims. TaxPack will tell you what records you need to keep.  Ask for help if you need it – ask your tax agent or ring the Tax Office on 13 28 61. Please note: This is a brief summary only, based on information available at time of publication. For a complete explanation, you will need to read the ATO’s publications in their entirety.

Union Fees You can claim a deduction for your Union fees – if the amount is shown on your payment summary (previously known as a group certificate), you can use that to prove your claim. Overtime meals If you get paid an overtime meal allowance under an industrial instrument (such as an Award or Agreement) and buy food and drink on overtime, you can claim the reasonable allowance amount that the ATO has set for overtime meal allowance expenses. If you need to claim more than the reasonable allowance amount, you need to keep written evidence of your expenses. Generally, you must include amounts received as overtime meal allowances as income on your tax return. However, if your Award overtime meal allowance was not shown on your payment summary and was not more than the reasonable allowance amount for each meal, you don’t have to include the amount on your tax return providing that you have

PAGE 18 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

fully spent the allowance, and don’t claim a deduction for overtime meal expenses. An amount for overtime meals that has been folded in as part of your normal salary and wage income is not considered to be an overtime meal allowance. Seminars, conferences and training courses You can claim a deduction for the cost of attending seminars, conferences and training courses that are sufficiently connected to your work activities. You can claim a deduction for the cost of first aid training courses if you, as a designated first aid person, are required to undertake first aid training to assist in emergency work situations. Work uniforms You can claim for a uniform, either compulsory or non-compulsory, that is unique and distinctive to the organisation you work for. Clothing is unique if it has been designed and made only for the employer. Clothing is distinctive if it has the employer’s logo permanently attached and the clothing is not available to the public.

You can’t claim the cost of purchasing or cleaning a plain uniform. 

Compulsory work uniform:



This is a set of clothing that identifies you as an employee of an organisation with a strictly enforced policy that makes it compulsory for you to wear the uniform while you’re at work. You may be able to claim a deduction for shoes, socks and stockings where they are an essential part of a distinctive compulsory uniform and where their characteristics (colour, style and type) are specified in your employer’s uniform policy.



You may be able to claim for a single item of distinctive clothing, such as a jumper, if it’s compulsory for you to wear it at work.



Non-compulsory work uniform:



You can’t claim expenses incurred for noncompulsory work uniforms unless your employer has registered the design with AusIndustry. Shoes, socks and stockings can never form part of a non-compulsory work uniform, and neither can a single item such as a jumper. Check with your employer to see if your uniform is on the register.

2016 Budget Review Each year around the beginning of May, the Federal Government tables its Budget for the coming year. Like any budget, it sets out by Mitchell Worsley, Industrial Officer the Government’s revenue and expenditure for the following year, but it is also an opportunity for the Government to put new policy proposals on the table. In every budget there can be seen to be ‘winners’ and ‘losers’. There are always people wanting to get a bigger slice of the pie. What is important, however, is that the Budget (and government policy) is fair. Fairness is when those that can afford to pay more, pay more, and those that can’t, pay a little less. Unfortunately, the 2016 Budget fails to meet the fairness test.

Taxing the poor to give to the rich First let’s look at the tax side. The 2016 Budget effectively gives two income tax cuts. For those earning over $80,000 per year, there is a cut in income tax of about $300 per year. Not a lot of money for someone earning over $80,000 but a tax cut none the less. In addition, the Budget removes a 2% levy that had been placed on people earning over $180,000 per year. Companies also get a tax cut. On top of the tax cut to small businesses in last year’s Budget, there has been a further tax cut. The definition of ‘small business’ has also been changed to businesses turning over up to $10 million per year.

On top of the tax cut for small business, the Government has a plan to cut all company tax from 30% to 25% over the next ten years. For low income earners there is little to cheer about with no income tax cuts. The average income for workers in Australia is just under $60,000 per year. An average or low income earner will not receive any tax relief from this year’s Budget, but high income earners receive a double tax cut.

Cuƫng payments to those who need it most Those on government support payments will take a hit. When the carbon tax was introduced by the Labor Government, compensation for those on support payments came with it. This budget has confirmed that compensation will be removed. Additionally, there will be a “crackdown” on people on disability support payments. When it comes to spending on hospitals and schools, the Government has sought to claw back some of the savage cuts it made in 2014, but not to where it was originally planned to be.

Modest improvements to super Thankfully, the Government has seen the light with some of the superannuation changes it has made. The former Labor Government introduced the ‘Low Income Superannuation Concession’ to ensure that low income earners didn’t have to pay more tax on their superannuation contributions than they did on their income. Effectively, this meant a payment of up to $500 into the superannuation accounts of low income earners.

In 2014, the Abbott Government announced it would scrap the payment. Fortunately, the Government has changed its mind and is just going to rename it the ‘Low Income Superannuation Tax Offset’ and pretend they thought of it. The Budget also tightens some of the tax concessions available on superannuation for high income earners. This will restrict high income earners from using the superannuation system to minimise their tax burden, rather than the genuine purpose of saving for retirement.

The fairness test Unfortunately, this Budget fails the ‘fairness test’. It adds pressure to those on government support and offers nothing to those who work hard for a modest wage. At the same time, it puts more money into the pockets of high income earners and reduces the burden on companies to pay their fair share to society. When you add this Budget to the savage cuts made in 2014 including cuts to family payments for low income families; cuts to the age pension; and lower payments to youth seeking work, it makes for a tough time ahead for working families.

1 November 2016 Save the date! It’s SDA Picnic Day 2016, and there’ll be lots going on. Stay tuned... SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 19

Poor ReƟrement Outcomes fo The SDA believes that every individual and family has a fundamental human right to live decently and with dignity, and this right should be afforded to by Corrine Boyle, Information Officer everyone regardless of gender. The Government has recently conducted a Senate Inquiry into the poor economic outcomes of women in retirement, which results in many women who have spent their life in both paid employment and in vital unpaid caring roles retiring into poverty. This is a vital issue for our Union, as it has a severe impact on our members. The SDA made a submission to the inquiry and attended public hearings before the Senate Committee, advocating for a range of measures to address this inequality to ensure that more generations of Australian women are not left behind.

Causes Gender pay gap: The ability for women to accumulate wealth is hindered by the gender pay gap, currently 18.8%, and widens throughout a woman’s life cycle. Structural differences in the employment life cycle for men and women: Our current superannuation system relies on a model designed around paid work based on full- time continuous employment. This model both directly and indirectly discriminates against women, who are more likely than men to be in part-time work, interrupted by periods of unpaid caring. Cultural, societal and workplace norms: Many of the issues which result in poor financial outcomes for women in retirement are due to cultural, societal and workplace norms which prevent women from participating fully in the workforce. Interruptions in paid employment and time in unpaid caring responsibilities: Women spend more time than men in the unpaid workforce as carers, often for long periods and when career,

the facts... Gender pay gap: Women earn, on average 18.8% less than men or (for a full-time working Australian woman, that’s $295 per week less than men or $15,000 a year). Extended over a typical 45-year career, the gap equates to about $700,000. Superannuation gap: Women accumulate 46.6% less in superannuation than men. In 2011-2012, this meant men retired with an average of $197,000 in super while women retired with $105,000.  29% of women over 65 years live below the poverty line.  90% of women have inadequate retirement savings.  37% of women have no personal income at the age of retirement.  44% women report ‘partner’s income’ as their main source of funds.  Single women are at the greatest risk of ongoing poverty in retirement.  On average, women live five years longer than men, and therefore need more for retirement.

PAGE 20 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

earnings potential, and superannuation, are at their highest. Men spend more time in the paid workforce and therefore have a greater capacity to increase their wage, lifetime earnings and superannuation accounts. Family-friendly workplaces for women and men: The lack of family-friendly workplaces for both men and women impacts on the choices women have in order to balance work and family responsibilities, which hinders participation in paid work. Insecure work/informal economy and casual and part-time work: Women often work in low-paid sectors and do this on a part-time and/or casual basis in order to balance work and family/caring responsibilities. This has a significant impact on the level of income women receive compared to men and also on the rate at which superannuation accumulates. Discrimination: The Australian Human Rights Commission recently found that discrimination is pervasive and widespread for employees during pregnancy, parental leave and return to work, with half of women and one quarter of men experiencing discrimination. This has a significant detrimental effect on the career and employment opportunities of women and impacts severely on earnings capacity in the short and long term. Domestic violence: Financial abuse and control is one of the many forms of domestic violence used against women, and domestic violence is one of the biggest causes of homelessness for women. The ability to save through

for Women superannuation is essential for women



Redistributing super tax concessions to ensure more equitable distribution in favour of those with lower superannuation balances to achieve a more comfortable retirement;



Retaining the Low Income Superannuation Contribution beyond 30 June 2017;



Implementing an increased Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate earlier than the current timetable;



Removing the exemption from paying the SG for employees who earn less than $450 in a calendar month;



Amending the Sex Discrimination Act so companies can make higher super payments to female employees when they wish to do so.

who may be experiencing domestic e

violence, as this may be one of the only avenues available to have independent control over savings.

SoluƟons The Senate Inquiry released its report A husband is not a retirement plan – Achieving economic security for women in retirement, on 30 April. Many of the recommendations made in the report were ones that the SDA included in our submission to the Inquiry. Some of the recommendations included: 

Extending the government paid parental leave (PPL) scheme to 26

weeks with the superannuation guarantee paid on this payment; 

Examining mechanisms for improving the retirement outcomes of carers;



Amending the Sex Discrimination Act to extend the discrimination ground of 'family responsibilities' to include indirect discrimination, and include a positive duty on employers to reasonably accommodate the needs of workers who are pregnant and/or have family responsibilities;



d n

Strengthening S65 of the Fair Work Act - The right to request flexible working arrangements – to remove the requirement for 12 months’ continuous service, introduce a positive duty on employers to reasonably accommodate a request for flexible working arrangements, and establish an appeals process;

Where to from here? While the Government has now retained the Low Income Contribution Scheme – in the form of a superannuation offset – the changes go nowhere near enough to support improvements in the retirement outcomes for women. The Federal Budget also still includes $13b in cuts to family benefits and a further $3b cut in welfare payments.

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The Federal Budget has also delayed childcare funding, and the Government has confirmed they will seek to reduce the government paid parental leave scheme if they win the election. The SDA will continue to advocate for a range of measures to address this inequality to ensure that more generations of Australian women do not retire into a life of poverty, which has devastating consequences on the individual, the community and society.

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SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 21

Bullying doesn’t work here! Is bullying limited to the schoolyard or to physical actions?



No – most bullying is not so obvious. Bullying includes actions which by Felicity Smithson, affect people Senior Operations psychologically and Officer socially at work. It can involve teasing, belittling, and exclusion from workplace activities. It can also involve over-monitoring and added unreasonable pressure or demands at work.



Under Australian law, bullying occurs when a person or a group of people repeatedly behaves unreasonably towards a worker (or a group of workers) at work and when this behaviour creates a risk to health and safety. Bullying, however, does not include reasonable management action carried out in a reasonable manner. Bullying is a risk to everyone’s health and safety, including the bully, because it creates a culture of fear and negativity. Bullying behaviours can include: 

Aggressive or intimidating conduct.  Open or implied threats of the sack or demotion.  Belittling or humiliating comments.  Unreasonable work demands which may include too little work or too much work, or work below or beyond a worker’s skill level.  Unjustified criticism or complaints.  Exclusion from work-related events.  Being treated unfavourably compared to others for submitting a workers’ compensation claim.

PAGE 22 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS



Being forced to comply with unreasonable demands, such as compulsory overtime or additional unpaid work.

What should I do?

Interference with personal belongings. Changing work arrangements such as rosters or leave to deliberately inconvenience a particular worker or group of workers.

Here are some ways to deal with bullying:

Everyone has a right to dignity and respect, and to a safe and healthy workplace.  Try to keep comprehensive records of

incidents, such as in a diary.  Record details such as dates, times,

who was directly present, what actually occurred and what was said.



Teasing and practical jokes.  Spreading of malicious rumours or information.

What is not bullying? Reasonable management action carried out in a reasonable manner does not constitute bullying.

 It is best to record events as soon as

possible after the event.  You may choose to speak to the bully

if you feel safe and comfortable doing so. You can ask someone, such as your Delegate, to accompany you in doing this.

Reasonable management action may include:  Performance management processes.



Stay calm, behave in a nonconfrontational, non-retaliating manner and focus on the behaviour, not the person.



Tell the bully that you object to their behaviour, and ask them to stop. You may suggest alternative ways to behave. Be open to feedback.

 Disciplinary action for misconduct.  Informing a worker about unsatisfactory

work performance or inappropriate work behaviour.  Asking a worker to perform reasonable

duties in keeping with their job.  Maintaining reasonable workplace goals

and standards.

 Talk to fellow workers and hold a meeting

away from the workplace if necessary.

It is recognised that there are best practices for management actions.

 Raise the concerns with your supervisor

The raising of issues such as underperformance can lead to unhealthy and unproductive outcomes that may affect the entire workplace if not addressed and managed both appropriately and sensitively.

 Talk to your doctor and, if necessary, ask

These actions, if not conducted in a reasonable manner, could become bullying in themselves. If you have any further questions about what constitutes reasonable management actions, please contact the SDA.

or site manager. If this is not appropriate or you are uncomfortable with this, raise the concerns with HR. for a WorkCover Medical Certificate if you are unable to work.  Get your Workplace Health and

Safety Representative or Committee Representative, Union Delegate or Official to assist.  Contact the SDA for advice and

assistance.

The SDA is here to guide, assist and support you throughout this process at any stage, however, it is best to contact us from the beginning to ensure that matters are dealt with properly.

What if itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a one-oďŹ&#x20AC; incident? If it is just a one-off incident, it may not constitute bullying under law but that does not mean it is acceptable. Policies and procedures often outline any unreasonable behaviour as unacceptable. Call the SDA for more advice if you are in this situation.

Why stop bullying? Bullying impacts not only the victim, but also the whole workplace. A victim may suffer or develop stress-related illnesses, low self esteem, depression or anxiety, sleeplessness, nausea; and/or suicidal thoughts.

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The workplace may suffer from low morale, lost productivity, high staff turnover, increased sick leave usage, and an increased number of stress or workersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; compensation claims.

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Therefore, it is in everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interests (including your employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s) to have a workplace free of bullying.

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What are my employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s obliga ons? Under current Australian health and safety legislation, employers are required to provide a safe workplace for employees. This includes a workplace free from bullying. Many employers have policies and procedures which deal directly with bullying in the workplace, and many also have behavioural standards or codes which outline how staff should behave, treat one another and be treated.

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SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 27

Thank you, and farewell Thér

Thérèse Bryant recently retired after an



amazing contribution to our Union for many decades. Thérèse commenced work with the SDA 

more than 35 years ago, bringing with her an incredibly strong sense of fairness and social justice. She became active in the Union because she wanted to make a



difference in people’s lives. In her role as National Women’s Officer, Thérèse’s more recent work had a particular focus on our women members.

improvements in both industrial and antidiscrimination legislation to advance the rights of women at work, including:

PAGE 24 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

Pursuing the right for women to be able to wear slacks to work, which led to a successful industrial court case in 1979; Increasing the participation of women at all levels of the Union, and the introduction of Women’s officers and Women’s committees;



Lobbying for, and achievement of increases in family assistance payments by the federal government;



The introduction of legislation to make discrimination and sexual harassment illegal;

She worked tirelessly to achieve o

Working on the 1979 industrial court case for unpaid maternity leave, and subsequently the achievement of unpaid paternity and adoption leave;



Developing policies, educational material and training in companies and unions regarding equal employment opportunities and sexual harassment;



The introduction of compulsory superannuation (company pension payments);



The introduction of paid family/carer’s leave in collective agreements and industrial legislation;



The introduction of laws to make pregnancy discrimination at work illegal, as well as an increased focus on accommodating the needs of pregnant workers, including providing them with safe work;



Achieving the requirement for companies to consider family responsibilities when establishing or changing employee rosters in SDA Enterprise Agreements;



The achievement of Paid Maternity Leave for most working mothers, paid by the government;



The introduction of legislation requiring employers to report on gender equality in the workplace;



Raising awareness regarding domestic violence and its impact on members at work.

As part of her role as the National Women’s Officer of the SDA, Thérèse oversaw the SDA National Women’s Committee, which pursues issues important to our women members, and ensures that this results in continued change and improvements in the work that we undertake on behalf of women members and the lives of working women more broadly.

érèse Thérèse was involved in advancing the rights of women at work in the broader union movement, particularly in her role as Chair of the ACTU Women’s Committee.



She also actively represented the Union on various government working groups and committees, and made numerous submissions to government inquiries and legislative committees.

Thérèse also represented the Union on an international level as a member of both the World and Asia Pacific Region Women’s Committees of Union Network International, and its predecessor the International Federation of Employees, Technicians and Managers (FIET) for 16 years, including holding the position of Vice President of the World Women’s Committee.

Some of her work in this area included: 



Advising the Federal Government in regard to its paid parental leave scheme, the Workplace Gender Equality Act, family friendly provisions in the Fair Work Act; and anti-discrimination legislation; Being a member of an expert panel for the Australian Human Rights Commission on sexual harassment in the workplace;

Participating on the Reference Group of the National Review of Pregnancy at Work and Returning to Work after Parental Leave.

In this role, Thérèse was able to effectively influence the activities of unions around the world in the advancement of women’s rights.

During her time with the SDA, Thérèse also made a significant contribution in the area of Education and Training, holding positions on various education and training boards. The SDA would like to thank Thérèse for her perseverance and the unwavering passion she displayed in her representation of SDA members and the broader union movement. Thérèse has made a significant contribution to achieving improvements in the lives of working people and, in particular, women. We wish Thérèse and her family all the very best for her retirement and that this next phase in her life is full of the joy and happiness she deserves.

Thérèse with the SDA National Women’s Committee in 2007.

Thérèse posed as the victim of sexual harassment for magazine articles in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Thérèse speaks at the FIET World Conference in March 1999

Thérèse with SDA National President Joe de Bruyn

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 25

WORLD’S GREATEST HAIRCUT! By Anthony Day, Organiser In March, Coles Castle Hill Delegate Mariam Araghinavaz shaved her head to raise money for the Leukaemia Foundation. She raised a total of $1,954 including $360.50 from staff and customers at her workplace. Well done, Mariam! Thinking about giving it a go? Learn more at worldsgreatestshave.com

Members of P by Tina Callaghan, Organiser Unions and other community groups in NSW have been running a petition since last year asking the government to commit to a number of safeguards to our quality of life, including:       

Before...

...during...

Jobs for younger Australians, A fair tax system, Medicare, Public services, Adequate school funding, No $100,000 degrees, Commitment to penalty rates.

In late April, delegations of local voters presented petitions to the offices of Liberal Party MPs Fiona Scott and Louise Markus in Penrith and Windsor, asking them to commit to defend these basic social provisions. 4,904 voters signed the petition to Fiona Scott and 5,190 voters signed the petition to Louise Markus. As we go to print, they have not responded, so we can assume they are not prepared to make such a commitment. Thank you to Delegates Joanne MacIntyre, Maree Simmons, Trent Hunter and Pat Hughes who participated in the handover.

...and after – Mariam rocks her new look!

PAGE 26 I WINTER 2016 I SDA NEWS

f Parliament, Listen to Your Voters!

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 27

D RLY AN A E N I T T GE ULD GE R O C U O Y KETS FO C I T R U YO 0.00! JUST $1

LUNA PARK FAMILY DAY 28 August 2016

Come along and join us at our Family Day at Luna Park in Sydney on 28 August 2016. SDA members and their families and friends receive a substantial discount on usual prices on this special Family Day. And if yours is one of the first 900 tickets ordered, you’ll get your unlimited ride tickets for just $10 each! (Maximum of five tickets per member at this extraspecial price.)

Be quick aNd save! Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday 18 July and close at 5pm on Friday 5 August, but you’ll have to be quick to get the extra-special $10 tickets! You can order as many tickets as you like. The Park is open from 10am to 6pm, and entry is free – all you have to do is book your unlimited rides tickets and/or lunch tickets.s.

HOW TO ORDER

5 Order online: go to Unlimited ride tickets for our Luna Park Family Day are just $23.50 per person (usually $52), and lunch tickets are just $11.00 each. Lunch consists of a hamburger or hot dog or pie, plus a softdrink and fairy floss.

sdansw.org.au; or

> Order by phone: ring 131 SDA (that’s 131 732).



B LAVE E AT THE N AT 1P DER GRE M FO EN RAFF R LE DR OUR AW JO THE F IN IN WI ! TH ACE AND PAINTING ACTI KIDS’ VITIE S!



But hurry – ticket orders must be received by the SDA no later than 5 August 2016.

HUGE SDA D

ISCOUNT! Normal price . . . . . . .................... .... SDA first 900 ticke ts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ . . . . . . . . . .$52.00 10.0 SDA pre-purchase d discount . . . . . . .$ 0 (save $42.00) 23.50 (save $28.50 )

Unlimited ride tickets for our Luna Park Family Day are just $23.50 per person (usually $52.00), and lunch tickets are just $11.00 each. Lunch consists of a hamburger or hot dog or pie, plus a softdrink and fairy floss. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday 18 July and close at 5pm on Friday 5 August, but you’ll have to be quick to get the extra-special $10.00 tickets! You can order as many tickets as you like. The Park is open from 10am to 6pm, and entry is free – all you have to do is book your unlimited rides tickets and/or lunch tickets.

HOW TO ORDER 5 Order online: go to www.sdansw.org.au; or > Order by phone: ring 131 SDA (that’s 131 732);

or , Order by mail:

complete the form on this page and mail it to SDA NSW Branch, PO Box K230, Haymarket NSW 1240

YOUR ORDER FORM MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE SDA OFFICE NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 5 AUGUST 2016.

LUNA PARK FAMILY DAY TICKET ORDER FORM Your Details Name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Postcode . . . . . SDA Membership Number: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phone: Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mobile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E-mail address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Employer: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Tickets

3 Please send me [insert number] ________ unlimited rides tickets. Total cost @ $23.50 each (normally $52.00 for anyone over 130cm):

$. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 Please send me [insert number] ________ lunch tickets. Total cost @ $11.00 each:

$ ...................

Registered Post Charge:

$ . . . . . 4.50 . . . . . . . .

Express Post $6.00

$ ................... $ ...................

Grand Total:

Payment  cheque  money order [Make out to “SDA NSW Branch”] or please debit my:  Visa  Mastercard Card number: I enclose my:

    



Name of cardholder: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Expiry date: / Signature of cardholder: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Date: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . This coupon can be used as a tax invoice for ABN 74 415 123 375

NO ORDERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS DATE.

DISCOUNT TRANSPORT If you’ve got an Opal Card, for $2.50 per person, your family can enjoy unlimited travel on Sydney’s buses, trains and ferries on Sundays! For more information, go to www.transportnsw.info and search ‘family sunday’.

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 29

The Sydney Tower Eye

Madame Tussauds

Sydney Aquarium, Darling Harbour

SDA members and their families are entitled to a 20% discount on single adult and child entry tickets upon presentation of their current SDA membership card.

t (02) 9333 9222 a sydneytowereye.com.au

t (02) 9333 9240 a madametussauds.com/sydney

t (02) 8251 7800 a sydneyaquarium.com.au

t (02) 8251 7877 a manlysealifesanctuary.com.au

WILD LIFE Sydney

Australian National Maritime Museum

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, Gold Coast

Featherdale Wildlife Park, Doonside

Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary

SDA members and their families are entitled to a 20% discount on single adult and child entry tickets upon presentation of their current SDA membership card.

SDA members and their families are entitled to a 20% discount upon presentation of their current SDA membership card.

SDA members and their families are entitled to a 25% discount upon presentation of their current SDA membership card.

t (02) 9333 9288 a wild-life.com.au

t (02) 9298 3777 a anmm.gov.au

t (07) 5534 1266 a cws.org.au

t (02) 9622 1644 a featherdale.com.au

Gold Coast Attractions SDA members and their families are entitled to a 15% discount at these leading Gold Coast attractions:

Movieworld*

Seaworld*

Wet’n’Wild Dreamworld White Water Skypoint Water World* t (07) 5588 1111 World t (07) 5582 2700 t 133 FUN t 133 FUN (07) 5588 1111 t (133 386) (133 386) a dreamworld. a whitewaterworld. a skypoint. t 133 FUN myfun.com.au a myfun.com.au com.au com.au com.au a a myfun.com.au *Please note: you must pre-purchase your tickets through the SDA website to access the discounts on these attractions.

Illawarra Fly Treetop Adventures

ABC Driving School

SDA members and their families are entitled to a 20% discount on single adult and child entry tickets upon presentation of their current SDA membership card. 1300 362 881. www.illawarrafly.com

SDA members and their children receive $25 oﬀ the standard cost of five lessons with ABC Driving School. For more information, go to abcdrivingschool.com.au or see the White Pages for your nearest branch.

Europcar Rentals

Coffs Coast Driving School

SDA members receive exclusive rates when they rent with Europcar. Simply quote 47699503 when making your booking. No PIN or Velocity number is required. For more information, phone Europcar on 1300 131 390 or go to europcar.com.au.

Get five one-hour lessons for just $275 – that’s a saving of $5 per lesson. We service Coﬀs Harbour and surrounding areas. Phone (02) 6651 2971 for more information.

PAGE 30 l WINTER 2016 l SDA NEWS

COFFS COAST

DRIVING SCHOOL

Oﬀer valid to 31 December 2016

TO PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS...

t n u o c Dis ie Tix v o M

+ order online at www.sdansw.org.au, + phone the SDA on 131 SDA (131 732) with your credit card details, or + purchase them in person at the SDA Sydney Office between 8.30am

and 4.00pm Monday to Saturday (except on public holidays).

HOYTS/EVENT E-TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE! SDA Movie Tickets for Hoyts and Event cinemas are now available as e-tickets, which you can print at home or redeem on a smartphone.

SDA NSW BRANCH + 131 SDA (131 732) + WWW.SDANSW.ORG.AU

www.engagingmembers.com.au

At ME, we’re working hard to stay agile, reinvent and give Australians more relevant ways to get ahead ﬁnancially. Part of that is Members Get More, a program full of extras from ME, for Union members.

SDA members get more.

More on home loans – save more with our already low rates.

More on everyday accounts – enjoy bonus offers to make your money go further.

what are you waiting for? Visit mebank.com.au/beneﬁtssda

More on our credit card – save with our competitive low rate.

members get more

Terms, conditions, fees and charges apply. Applications for credit are subject to approval. This is general information only and you should consider if these products are right for you. Members Equity Bank Ltd ABN 56 070 887 679 Australian Credit Licence 229500. 21ȋȅȅȋ/ȅȇȆȌ

SDA NEWS I WINTER 2016 I PAGE 31

SDA EntertainmentTM Vouchers and Frequent ValuesTM Rewards: Free for all SDA members! Your SDA membership card bears the Frequent ValuesTM logo which entitles you to discounts and specials deals at hundreds of venues around Australia.

 Show-Your-Card Discounts 

2015/2016 MEMBERSHIP CARD

Upon presentation of your membership card at participating venues around Australia, you can receive great discounts. You can

EXPIRES 31/12/2016

SHOP, DISTRIBUTIVE & ALLIED EMPLOYEES’ ASSOCIATION, NEW SOUTH WALES BRANCH

also browse and redeem some deals on a smartphone.

 Gift Card Discounts 

You can purchase iTunes and grocery gift cards at up to 5% off*.

 Accommodation Discounts 

Book online with My BookingsTM and enjoy great discounts over 1,500 leading hotels, resorts and apartments. For more information about EntertainmentTM vouchers, the Frequent ValuesTM program, discounted gift cards, and participating venues, visit the SDA website th SDA Info Centre on 131 SDA (that’s 131 732). at sdansw.org.au or contact the * Conditions apply

Where‘s my membership card and voucher booklet?

Getting more out of your leisure time

ram

bership Prog

SDA NSW Mem

2016

ww w.s dan sw

W in the process of changing the timing of the mailout of our new We’re membership cards and voucher booklets, so... m FFor our members who were with us up to mid January this year, your membership card is current and will expire at the end of the year. m HHowever, your EntertainmentTM voucher booklet runs out now, so you will w find a new EntertainmentTM voucher booklet enclosed that expires on o 30 December 2016. For F our members who joined us from mid January onwards, your TM Entertainment E voucher book and membership card are still current. All members will automatically receive a new card and EntertainmentTM A voucher booklet before the end of the year. v

.or g.a u

16040