Tuesday, 24 January 2012
 

Staff car parks generate close to quarter million for Westfield

Staff parking at Westfield Chermside has generated close to a quarter of a million dollars in just three months.

Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA) Queensland Secretary Chris Ketter said the shopping centre giant had made close to $250,000 from employees since paid parking began on October 24.

“Since October 24 Westfield has gouged shopping centre staff for around a quarter of a million dollars,’’ Mr Ketter said.
 
“That’s money paid to a multinational for the privilege of going to work.’’

He said in August 2011 the Westfield group announced a first-half profit of $651 million. It’s estimated paid parking for shoppers could have generated hundreds of thousands of dollars since the initiative began. Mr Ketter called on Westfield to provide a figure on how much staff and customers had paid since October 24.

“Westfield is rolling in it while the majority of Queenslanders are doing it tough,’’ Mr Ketter said.

“However Westfield continue to make millions from staff and shoppers and the dangerous trend continues.

“It’s high time Westfield came clean on just how much they have made – and how much they expect to make – from their workers and the community per annum.

“In March paid parking will be rolled out at Carindale shopping centre and we fear the cancer could continue to spread throughout south east Queensland.’’

Westfield Carindale is believed to have 5500 car parks. It’s feared paid parking will also be introduced at Westfield centres at Mt Gravatt (Garden City), Strathpine, North Lakes and Helensvale on the Gold Coast.

The centres reportedly have a combined total of around 13,000 car parks. Westfield has introduced paid parking at 14 shopping centres around the world.

Go to: http://www.sdaq.asn.au/member-news/petition-against-paid-car-parking/ to sign the SDA petition.