The State Government is reviewing Queensland’s public holiday system.

The review is seeking feedback relating to holidays in Queensland including:

• Moving the Queen’s Birthday to create a new summer public holiday
• Allocating an extra public holiday when Christmas, Boxing or New Year’s Day fall on a weekend
• Expanding state school Easter holidays from six days to two weeks.

Most importantly, the Government has invited public comment on what should happen when Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day fall on a weekend.

Chris Ketter said today, “I encourage all members to fill in the online survey and indicate their support for the law to be changed so that those specific public holidays are recognised on both the actual date when they fall on a weekend, as well as the additional days the following week.”

“I further encourage members to indicate their full support for Easter Sunday becoming a public holiday. ”

 Click here for the online survey. It will take 2-3 minutes to complete.

 Please provide your feedback by 31 October 2011.

Please click here to view a Rule Alteration advice.  The change refers to the SDA’s relocation to new offices.

ALDI is currently renegotiating an Enterprise Agreement with ALDI employees in the ‘Stapylton’ region. (An Enterprise Agreement is a legal agreement which defines your wages and working conditions over a set period of time).  Go here to view your current Agreement.

Okay but so what?

• Enterprise negotiations are extremely important because they determine your rates of pay and conditions usually over a two, three or four year period.  Once that Agreement is in place, it cannot be changed until the next negotiations occur.

Who will be at the negotiations?

• ALDI will be represented by experienced company personnel. They will also seek advice from their lawyers and employer association.
• Employees are currently being represented by ALDI employees with very limited knowledge and experience on industrial matters and laws.

That seems to be a bit one-sided.  What should I do?

• Join the SDA today.  (The Union which has represented retail and retail distribution workers for over 100 years).  Join the strength of the Union so that experienced and professional SDA Officers can negotiate directly with the company personnel.  ALDI employees should have the same level of union support which exists in most major retailers.  After all, ALDI employees deserve true representation and strong protection.

What do you believe needs to be changed in your current agreement or contract?

Please go here to write your comments in the space provided.  You may wish to comment on, for example, wages, rosters, personal leave including sick and personal leave, public holidays, family-friendly provisions, emergency services leave, parental leave etc.

Want to join the SDA?

Go here to complete a membership request form.

The Harris Scarfe Enterprise Agreement has been approved by Fair Work Australia. The new Agreement is now in place and Shop Stewards will shortly receive their personal copy.

Say NO to Westfield Parking Rip-off!  Act now before it’s too late!

Most members are fully aware that Westfield Chermside is planning to introduce paid car parking for staff in the immediate future. This action could force thousands of staff to pay a daily toll just to do their job. It is hard enough to make ends meet and now Westfield, a highly profitable company, wants to extract more money from retail and fast food workers.

It is a rip-off!

You can play your part …  The SDA is circulating a petition calling on the Brisbane City Council to immediately take the strongest action possible to stop Westfield from charging a fee for shoppers and staff.  Sign the petition and ask your family, friends, school mates and neighbours to sign the enclosed petition and return it to the SDA via the ‘Reply Paid’ envelope provided or facsimile on 3833 9590.

We cannot allow others to do the work for us. We all need to get involved and try and get as many signatures as we can on our petition.

Click here to print off a copy of the petition.

Don’t delay, do it today.

Negotiations have been finalised between the SDA and The Reject Shop on the 2011 Enterprise Agreement. The roll-out process has commenced with information meetings being held in the stores. Voting on the proposal will commence from August 8 and the ballot will be counted in late August.

Members will be advised of the ballot result.

The National Coles Enterprise Agreement has been rolled out and members have cast their vote.  The result of the national ballot was 83% in favour with 85.2% support in Queensland.

Thank you to all members who participated in the roll out including the ballot.

AUSTRALIA’S largest superannuation fund provider, REST, has secured a return of 9.56 per cent in its core strategy fund in the year to June, 2011.

Yesterday, REST Industry Super chief executive Damian Hill  said all of the fund’s options managed by the fund had posted positive returns.

SDA Queensland Branch Secretary, Chris Ketter, welcomed the result saying that “Superannuation is a key component of our members’ retirement plans. Once again REST delivered a very pleasing result and SDA members should have every confidence in the continuing success of REST in the years ahead”.