SDA Secretary Peter Malinauskas welcomes a massive win for 20-year-old retail workers, who will be paid the full adult wage under the General Retail Industry Award following the Fair Work Commission ruling today.
Up to 40,000 20-year-olds, across the country will benefit from this decision.
Those affected will receive about an extra $1.80 per hour in their pay packet once the decision handed down by the Commission comes into full effect.
Peter Malinauskas said the decision reflected the overwhelming support behind the campaign, with tens of thousands of supporters willing to take a stand for fair pay.
“This is a huge win for retail workers and this is not something we could have achieved without the support and hard work of our SDA members.
“Retail workers, of all ages, truly believe that you should be paid for the work you do, not how old you are.
“The purpose of the SDA is to protect the wages and working conditions of our members and that’s why we decided to take action against this discriminatory practice.
“We were successful in the Fair Work Commission because it doesn’t make sense to pay 18, 19 and 20-year-olds a lower rate of pay than their co-workers who are performing the exact same duties.”
This decision means 20-year-old retail workers will receive 95 per cent of the full adult rate from 1 July this year and 100 per cent at 1 July 2015.
The SDA will now look to getting the full adult wage for 18 and 19-year-old retail workers.
“This was just the first step, we will continue to campaign for 100% Pay at 18+ and I am confident that we can make this happen,” said Peter.
Currently under the General Retail Industry Award, 20-year-olds are paid 10 per cent less, 19-year-olds are paid 20 per cent less and 18-year-olds are paid 30 per cent less.
The SDA has been campaigning since early 2013 to change the Award for 100% Pay at 18+.