Once when I was pregnant I was grabbed by the throat and dragged over the counter because we don't give refunds on certain products
-Retail Worker
No One Deserves a Serve
In December 2017, the SDA officially launched the ‘No One Deserves A Serve’ campaign to create awareness about retail and fast food workers facing constant abusive and violent behaviour from customers at work.
About the campaign
In December 2017, the SDA officially launched the No One Deserves A Serve campaign to create awareness about retail and fast food workers facing constant abusive and violent behaviour from customers at work.
The initial survey which accompanied the launch of the campaign received responses from over 6000 workers about their experiences with customer abuse and violence.
The results were damning.
Customer violence and abuse was – and still remains – a serious health and safety issue for SDA members and workers in the retail and fast food industries.
No One Deserves A Serve began as a promotional tool used to remind shoppers and customers to treat retail and fast food workers with respect.
While our ads and promotional material on social media have continued and enjoyed success, the campaign itself has evolved and developed into an important part of the SDA’s work and a movement that actively secures measures effective in curbing customer abuse and violence – these include training, incident reporting, customer signage, banning notices and increased security.
key progress
The initial survey which accompanied the launch of the campaign received responses from over 6,000 workers about their experiences with customer abuse and violence. It became clear that more needed to be done as abuse and violence from customers still remains a serious problem to this day.
The SDA has been calling on all state governments to introduce legislation that enforces stronger penalties to keep workers safe from abuse and violence since 2020. Since that time, we’ve seen New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and Northern Territory introduce new protections – Victoria will soon join these jurisdictions!
In March of 2024, the Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, alongside SDA State Secretary Michael Donovan and SDA Delegate Shefali, announced that the Victorian Labor Government would introduce new laws for tougher penalties on customer abuse and violence.
The SDA’s long running ‘No One Deserves A Serve’ campaign and the support of SDA members has been pivotal to lobbying for these legislative changes so that employees are safe and protected at work.
If you want to find out more about this campaign please click here: https://www.sda.au/campaigns/no-one-deserves-a-serve/
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a union?
A union is an organisation of workers who join together to achieve common workplace goals through collective bargaining. A union represents workers in a particular industry by negotiating for job security, fair pay and better working conditions. A union provides members with workplace information, support and advice, workplace representation when a problem arises, and legal representation for underpayments, unfair dismissals and workers compensation.
What is the SDA?
The SDA is an independent and not-for-profit union that represents workers employed in retail, warehousing, fast food, pharmacy, hair and beauty, and modelling industries.
We act on behalf of our diverse members to protect workers rights, improving pay and conditions.
Who does the SDA represent?
Any worker working in the retail, warehousing, fast food, pharmacy, hair and beauty, and modelling industries can join the SDA.
How do I join the SDA?
How can I get support?
For support from the SDA, call the SDA Office at (03) 9698 1400, Free call 1800 133 048 or email info@sdavic.org
What are the benefits?
Being an SDA member means that you are never alone as a worker, and if you ever have any concern about your pay and conditions at work - the SDA has your back every step of the way. SDA members are united and stronger together.
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"Thanks to the SDA, I have readily available resources to advise and support my peers as an SDA Delegate. Being an SDA member means you're never alone at work."
– Ari, SDA Delegate at Woolworths.
