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- What is the SDA?
- Why should I join the SDA?
- How do I have my say?
- Who are the Shop Stewards or Delegates?
- Is Membership Transferable?
The SDA is a union that promotes the interests and defends the rights of employees in the retail and fast food industries. We act on behalf of our members to protect and improve wages and conditions of employment, as well as providing many other services.
The SDA in Queensland had its origins in 1889 when 16 drapers formed the “Early Closing Association”.
At the turn of the century, the SDA was operating under the title of the “Shop Assistants’ Union”. Since then it has grown to be the largest union in Australia.
We cover a wide range of industries from retail and distribution, to pharmacy assistants, fast food workers, clerks, storepeople, warehouse employees, and of course, shop assistants.
Protection. The SDA protects its members against threats to their jobs, such as unfair dismissal, victimisation, sexual harassment, discrimination and intimidation. The SDA also ensures that members are receiving the entitlements that the Union has won for them.
Support. By joining a union, you gain strength and support when negotiating with employers. Improvements in wages and conditions come only because the SDA makes it happen.
Strength and efficiency. The SDA is a strong, efficient and progressive union that effectively represents its members. It is staffed by dedicated officials experienced in dealing with management at the highest levels. Together, workers have strength and power that cannot be achieved individually.
Specialist service. The SDA provides staff to visit workplaces, and employs specialists in workers’ compensation, occupational health and safety, women’s issues and industrial relations in order to maintain services to members.
We greatly appreciate your input as a member of the SDA. Our role is to act on behalf of our members, so the feedback you give us is very important.
Organisers make regular visits to worksites to discuss issues with members and place Union material on staff room notice boards. Many of our enterprise agreements also provide for 15 or 30 minute Union meetings in paid company time.
One of the best ways of getting involved and having a say is to become a Shop Steward or Delegate, elected by your work mates to represent them.
Who are the Shop Stewards or Delegates?
Shop Stewards or Delegates are unpaid representatives SDA members in the workplace. They are members whose major responsibilities include:
- Recruiting new members into the union
- Communication
- Enforcement of Enterprise Agreements or Awards
- Enforcement of statutory entitlements
- Promoting the union
- Solving members’ problems
- Attending meetings
- Self-education.
A Shop Steward or Delegate receives training on issues related to the Union and its members. We supply Shop Stewards or Delegates with a copy of the relevant award or agreement, a handbook on how to approach various issues and other helpful material.
While SDA membership is transferable, it depends upon a number of factors.
The transfer of membership depends on where you are transferring from, and where you are transferring to. The following scenarios will help answer this question, but you should always ask your pay office to make sure that your fees are being passed on to the SDA.
Transferring from one store to another, within the same Company, within Queensland:
It would normally be expected that your membership details would be passed from one store to another in this case. Your staff file would also be transferred. This should include the Authority to Deduct (fees) form that allows your new Pay Officer to commence fee deduction at that store.
However, you should always check to make sure that this occurs. This sometimes gets lost in the transfer process.
Transferring from one company to another:
In this case, your membership ceases from the last pay you received from your previous employer. You will need to complete a new application form, available from your Pay Office or from the SDA Notice Board or SDA Shop Steward or Delegate.
The new application form will be sent to our office and you will receive a new membership card showing the change in employer details. Your new employer will receive your Authority to Deduct (fees) and will commence weekly payroll deductions.
Transferring from interstate
If you move interstate you must re-apply for membership at your new store, even if the same company employs you.
The issue in this case is the union … not your employer. Although the SDA is a National Association, each Branch of the SDA operates as a separate entity.
