Retailers fight back over wage rate

 

Timesheet, casual, payThe National Retail Association (NRA) is urgently investigating appeal options after the Fair Work Commission’s decision to abolish junior wage rates for 20 year old workers.

NRA CEO Trevor Evans said he was shocked by the decision to force young workers to compete against highly experienced older personnel, and had ordered an immediate investigation into appeal options.

“I have this afternoon asked the NRA’s legal and industrial advocates to examine urgently all possible avenues of review, from appealing the decision in the FWC through to lobbying the Federal Government for legislative change,” Evans said.

“This is a disastrous decision not only for retailers, but also for young retail workers.

“The junior wage was designed to protect them from having to compete on the same level as staff with far greater experience and life skills.

“In fact, it was introduced in the 1980s after unions lobbied for it, on the grounds that it was essential in order for younger workers to receive a fair go.

“This decision will not only be a huge, immediate expense for employers, but it will also have very significant impact on the ability of 20 year olds to get as many hours’ work as they have done previously.

“So today’s decision makes absolutely no sense in terms of protecting the welfare of young workers. In reality, it will have the opposite effect.”

Evans said the decision was “highly inconsistent” with a number of the Commission’s recent rulings, which have effectively required significant expert evidence or bipartisan agreement in order to bring about any substantial changes to modern awards.

“This decision completely ignores the evidence and material supplied to the Commission by employers – the people who actually create and fund retail jobs for young people,” he said.

“The NRA believes it is further evidence of the desperate need for a single, over-arching appeals body to ensure consistency in FWC rulings.

“We urge the Federal Government to expedite its Productivity Commission review of the modern award system, so Australia can see a return of the workplace relations pendulum to the sensible centre.”

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