News 2017

No Excuse For Abuse

22 Jun 2017

Thousands of retail and fast food workers experienced abuse or violence from a customer in the last year and it is unacceptable.

Over the festive season, the SDA ran a nation-wide campaign calling for respect for retail and fast food workers.

The campaign was widely supported by SDA members, workers and the wider community who helped spread the word.

We urged customers to keep their cool during the busy festive season in stores and in fast food restaurants.

Surveying Our Members

The SDA also launched an online survey to ask retail and fast food workers about the customer violence and abuse they experienced at work.

Feedback from workers is essential to better understand the issues they face and how to address the issue.

Your Workcover Rights

18 Jul 2017

If you’re injured at work, it can be difficult to navigate the system. Of course, as an SDA member, we’re here to help you, but to get you going, here are answers to some of the questions we are most often asked.

These answers and more are also available from our FAQ section

Q: Is the store required to accept the Certificate of Capacity for a WorkCover claim?

Christmas Day: Permanent Fix

28 Apr 2017

The SDA has filed a submission supporting legislation to appoint Christmas Day as a public holiday whenever it falls on a Saturday or Sunday as wel

We're Applying to Federal Court to Stop Penalty Rates Cuts

11 May 2017

The Fair Work Commission’s decision to cut penalty for retail, fast food and pharmacy workers covered by Awards is unfair – we want it stopped.

Penalty Rates Cut to See $667 Million Lost to Workers in Regional Communities

16 May 2017

New data from the McKell Institute released today shows workers in 45 regional communities will lose $667 million each year from penalty rates cuts

Managers: Keep Out of Medical Appointments

18 May 2017

All SDA members should be aware that managers and insurance companies have no right to attend your medical appointments, even if it is for a work-related injury.

Help Keep Christmas Day a Public Holiday

11 Jul 2017

Send your Email to the Victorian Government

Battle on Many Fronts

08 Aug 2017

by Michael Donovan

As I write this editorial, the issue of penalty rates is hotting up.

Advertising Blitz Targets Cuts to Penalty Rates

22 Aug 2017

The fight to protect penalty rates is far from over, as the SDA steps up the campaign in local communities across the country.

International Womens Day Award Goes to Bernadette Arathoon

01 Sep 2017

The SDA held its annual International Women’s Day breakfast in March, with Deputy Premier James Merlino one of our many important guests.