The SDA Union has hailed its victory at the Federal Court today as an opportunity for many more low-paid workers across the country to access bargaining for the first time.
The Full Federal Court has rejected a legal challenge by McDonald’s franchisees against a supported bargaining authorisation secured by the SDA in South Australia.
While McDonald’s did not want to bargain, this decision being upheld means 100,000 workers could potentially have access to bargaining.
This victory confirms that the Fair Work Commission was correct in its decision to authorise bargaining at South Australian franchisees.
Today’s decision has significance well beyond McDonald’s. It could pave the way for low-paid workers across the economy to have access to bargaining through the supported bargaining stream.
The SDA’s supported bargaining application in South Australia has led to McDonald’s agreeing to bargaining nationally for the first time in eight years.
National bargaining is commencing, with the SDA and McDonald’s workers directly negotiating with McDonald’s on the priorities outlined in our Log of Claims.
Quotes attributable to SDA Secretary, Josh Peak:
“This is a significant win for low-paid workers across Australia.”
“The Federal Court’s ruling demonstrates that the SDA was right all along to pursue supported bargaining at one of the largest employers of young people in Australia.”
“This was only possible because of the Federal Government’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay laws, which were designed to open up and extend bargaining to more workers in low-paid industries.”
“That is exactly what the SDA is using these laws for.”
“The SDA will absolutely be looking across the retail, fast food and other related industries to open up access to bargaining for more workers through supported bargaining applications.”
“The SDA is bringing McDonald’s back to the bargaining table nationally for the first time in eight years and we’ll be fighting to make sure workers’ voices remain at the centre of bargaining.”
Quote attributable to McDonald’s union Delegate and member of the bargaining committee, Joshua Trezise:
“South Australian workers have worked hard to get to this point, and it is exciting to now see bargaining begin for workers across the entire country.”
“For a long time, many McDonald’s workers have felt that decisions about our jobs were made without us having much of a say.”
“Starting national bargaining means workers from different stores can come together and push for improvements that are fair and consistent.”
“We want McDonald’s to listen to the people who work in its restaurants every day and negotiate an agreement that recognises the work we do.”
Media Contact: Milly Schultz-Boylen – 0458 790 006
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