A decision that opened the door for employers to cut penalty rates has been bad news for some workers, but not all Hunter businesses plan to pay their employees less on Sundays.
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At least two Hunter business owners have come out publicly to say they would not cut Sunday penalty rates for their staff.
The Fair Work Commission announced last week that it would reduce penalty rates employers are required to pay workers across the retail, hospitality and fast food sectors.
Details of the cuts vary across the different industries, but can be found on the Fair Work Commission website.
The move has been welcomed by some, who say that the change will reduce financial pressure that many businesses face when considering whether to trade on weekends.
But employees and unions have roundly criticised the idea of getting less pay for the same work.
Management at Log Press Cafe at Pokolbin and Grinders Espresso Bar and Flowers at Cessnock each took to social media soon after the announcement to say they would continue paying their employees the same penalty rates for Sunday work.
“With the recent news of pay cuts in our industry, I would like you all to know it will never affect our staff, I believe strongly that you look after what you are fortunate to have and we feel very fortunate that we have the employees we do,” Log Press Cafe manager Lauren Bone wrote on Facebook.
“They work very hard and provide excellent service to our valued customers and that’s the way things will always be.”
Grinders manager Leanne Dick told Fairfax Media she had 12 staff members who were a mix of casual, part time and full time.
She said her staff members had been “very, very worried” about the penalty rates announcement from the Fair Work Commission, but were “excited” that they would not personally face pay cuts at Grinders.
“In the Hunter Valley we employ a lot of people, and families, in the hospitality industry. It’s a big thing around this area. Sunday has been one of our busiest days of the week and, let’s face it, no-one wants to work on a Sunday.
“But families have to, especially in this area where it’s very hard for people to even get a job.
“We’ve seen it with our staff, they grab whatever hours they can and they want to work the weekend because of the penalty rates.
“Our staff put in 110 per cent, they are fantastic, they work their butts off.
“So whatever the decision is with the FWC, we don’t really care. We’ll continue to pay [penalty rates] regardless of what their decision is.”
Nick Bielby
Nick Bielby is a crime reporter who has been with the Newcastle Herald since 2017.
Nick Bielby is a crime reporter who has been with the Newcastle Herald since 2017.
