The Full Bench of Fair Work Australia has rejected an appeal by the SDA against an application by retail employers to reduce the minimum shift for a school students engaged as casuals.

Currently, the General Retail Award provides that the minimum casual shift is three hours. However, the decision by Fair Work Australia now means that the minimum shift will be reduced to 90 minutes for secondary school students engaged as casuals employees who work on school days between 3.00pm and 6.30pm . The change will not take effect until Fair Work Australia finalises its consideration of the precise text of the variation to the Award.

This decision does not directly affect SDA members who are employed under Collective Agreements negotiated by the SDA, but does affect those members who are employed under the General Retail Award.

Fair Work Australia’s decision is a big disappointment to the SDA and to all retail workers. The decision erodes the fundamental minimum shift entitlement for all employees in the retail industry. It sets a dangerous precedent for all retail employees.

The SDA will be seeking to restore the minimum shift entitlement at Fair Work Australia’s review into Modern Awards that will commence next year.

The SDA will continue to update members and Delegates of any developments in this matter. In the meantime, the most important thing you can do it to encourage your co-workers to join the SDA. This is the best way to defend and oppose any further moves to reduce working conditions in the retail industry and to act to restore the three hour casual minimum shift entitlement back into the Award.