Loading slideshow

Why Join?

It pays to be a member
of the SDA.

Join Now!

Need Advice?

We're on hand
to give you the knowledge.

Click Here

Discounts!

Get massive discounts
on a variety of services.

Learn More

Testimonials

I call the union for handling problems if I ever have any in my workplace, they always respond in a fast and timely manner to help resolve them!  


Great service, great knowledge of workplace policies and procedures, free Legal advice, great value for money. These are just some of the benefits, why wouldn’t you want to join?  


The SDA organisers are always there to help, If I have a question no matter how important or unimportant I think its is, I just call them and they help me...It's that simple!  


Being a member of the SDA is important because I'm not good at speaking up so I need assitance to help negotiate on my behalf.  


Media Release: 26 March 2016

Go Back
  • 26th March 2016

PM can’t remain silent on exploitation of 7-Eleven workers. 
 

The Prime Minister must immediately adopt the key recommendations of the Senate Report which looked into the 7-Eleven scandal in order to stop the continuing exploitation of workers in Australia.

The report, A National Disgrace: The Exploitation of Temporary Work Visa Holders, by the Education and Employment References Committee recommends a suite of actions be taken to put a stop to the terrible treatment of foreign workers, including an overhaul of the Franchising Code of Conduct and changes to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection’s procedures.

SDA, the union for retail, fast-food and warehouse workers, National Secretary, Gerard Dwyer said if the Prime Minister doesn’t begin implementing the recommendations, he will be deliberately allowing the exploitation of thousands of workers to continue.

“The Senate committee has spent many hours hearing the horrific details of the exploitation of 7-Eleven workers,” Mr Dwyer said. “There is now a detailed report containing very specific recommendations sitting on the Prime Minister’s desk begging for action.

“We can’t allow this to be swept under the rug. The Prime Minister has been completely silent in the face of overwhelming evidence of appalling exploitation that has been allowed to continue on his watch.

“It’s critical that the key recommendations of this senate report are implemented in order to put a stop to the exploitation.

“We would have liked to have seen some specific recommendations designed to improve union’s access to the wage books of companies like 7-Eleven so that compliance with legal minimums can be enforced without individual workers having to put their jobs on the line. However this report is certainly a good start in pushing back against unscrupulous employer conduct.

“We know that right now the exploitation of workers is continuing in stores right across Australia – and not just in 7-Eleven stores. Why is the Prime Minister refusing to acknowledge it, let alone take real action to address it?

“Unfortunately we’re still in a position where workers are too scared to come forward publicly with details of their exploitation for fear of the repercussions. Many of these workers are still fearful that there could be an impact on their visa conditions.

“We need to see a real overhaul of laws to ensure workers can’t continue to exploited like we’ve seen at 7-Eleven.”

 

Media contact: Alana Mew, 0419 929 722


Latest News

The SDA is taking legal action against McDonald’s for denying workers their paid breaks. If y ...
CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE PETITION!     As the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated, retail wo ...
To download a copy of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees's Association, Western Australian ...
Testimonials

I call the union for handling problems if I ever have any in my workplace, they always respond in a fast and timely manner to help resolve them!  


Great service, great knowledge of workplace policies and procedures, free Legal advice, great value for money. These are just some of the benefits, why wouldn’t you want to join?  


The SDA organisers are always there to help, If I have a question no matter how important or unimportant I think its is, I just call them and they help me...It's that simple!  


Being a member of the SDA is important because I'm not good at speaking up so I need assitance to help negotiate on my behalf.