THE door has been left wide open for all industries to have their penalty rates come under attack.
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That’s the fear of the Health Services Union (HSU) and the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association (NSWNMA) after the recent Fair Work Commission decision to reduce Sunday, late night and public holiday penalty rates.
The organisations believe the decision will damage Australia’s collective values and open the flood gates for other industries to slash wages.
Leeton HSU site representative at the Leeton District Hospital Michael Kidd had some concerns.
“You do wonder if hospitals and emergency services workers will be next,” he said.
“You do need to offer these little enticements when it comes to these jobs, particularly when you are trying to attract to these workers to regional areas such as Leeton.
“It’s extremely worrying and people are concerned about it.”
Acting General Secretary of the NSWNMA, Judith Kiejda, said the decision to modify penalty rates in the hospitality, fast food, retail and pharmacy sectors would impact the health sector.
“This decision is only in the interest of big business, allowing them to pocket the savings and take advantage of workers,” she said.
“There’s a good reason we have historically compensated those working on a Sunday, late at night and during public holidays.
“They sacrifice what is, for the rest of us, a period of relaxation spent with friends and family, in order to meet the growing needs of the general public and keep our country running.”
Mr Kidd said it was important health staff, many of whom were already under significant pressure, were looked after.
He said it was essential the government left penalty rates in place for these workers.
“These people are already under a certain amount of stress with the work they do day in and day out,” Mr Kidd said.
“There needs to be some sort of carrot for people to want to come into these industries and our rural towns.”