Quotes from Gerard Dwyer, National Secretary the SDA the union for retail, fast food, warehouse and online retail workers

The SDA welcomes Coles’ decision today to pass on a pay rise of 1.75% to its wages staff from October 5th.

It is clear acknowledgement that supermarket staff are essential frontline workers. The COVID-19 pandemic has proved it and the Prime Minister has acknowledged it. Supermarket workers are risking their health and safety every day to ensure that the rest of the community is able to put food on the table as well as other necessities for their families.

The Fair Work Commission announced an increase to the minimum wage at the end of June, but decided to delay pay rises for retail workers from July until February 2021. After everything supermarket workers had done for the community, this was not good enough.

That’s why the SDA has been pushing all retailers to give their workers a pay rise now instead of in February.

It is great to see that Coles has done the right thing by paying a wage rise now. It is well deserved recognition of the efforts of their staff.

The SDA thanks the thousands of its members who supported our retail industry campaign to bring the wage increase forward.

Today’s announcement is a great reward for their efforts.

It demonstrates to other retailers who have not brought forward this pay rise that they should now do so immediately.

Contact: Jim Middleton
0418627066