As 2026 begins, the SDA is moving forward with a strong commitment to keep working towards better pay and safer conditions for retail, fast food, and warehouse workers.
The challenges for retail, fast food and warehouse workers continue: cost of living pressures, understaffing, customer abuse and worker safety. In 2026, the SDA will continue to be at work with you to assist with any issues that arise – and to make sure your voice is heard.
Enterprise Bargaining
The SDA has already engaged with several companies to initiate bargaining in 2026, including BBQ’s Galore, Bunnings, Myer and Tiffany & Co. If you work for one of these companies, Organisers will be out in stores soon to distribute EBA Surveys – so you can have have your say on your pay and conditions.
Bargaining is an important part of the SDA’s job, securing pay increases and above award conditions for employees – after all, your employer will rarely volunteer to pay you more, give you extra allowances or roster you around your family caring responsibilities – that’s why the SDA bargains on behalf of our members.
Advocating for a genuine living wage in 2026
Whether you’re employed under an Award or an Enterprise Agreement negotiated by the SDA, the Annual Wage Review is key to securing a fair wage increase in 2026.
From 2010-2025, unions have protected workers from employer proposals that would have left a full-time level 1 retail worker around $81,000 worse off.
Today’s hourly rate for a level 1 retail worker is $6.03 higher than employer submissions would have delivered.
SDA Officials are out in stores now with Surveys to find out what you think a fair pay increase would be. Your input is vital, and is used in our submission to the Fair Work Commission, so I encourage you to fill out the survey to have your say.
Trading Hours
Late last year, the SDA surveyed our members, and over 80% of respondants said they did not support permanent extensions to trading hours, as suggested by some employer groups.
The SDA will continue to campaign against extra trading hours, and ensure the voice of retail workers is considered in applications for extended hours.
Adult Age = Adult Wage
We know that many of our members are keen to hear what happens now the Fair Work Commission hearings and submissions have finished.
The Fair Work Commission is now reviewing all the evidence and arguements put forward by the SDA and by the employer groups opposing our case.
We expect to have a decision in the coming months. We don’t have an exact date for the decision, but when we do, SDA members will be the first to know.
Throughout this case, the SDA has been standing up for young workers, pushing for fair pay and fighting to remove unfair junior rates.
If we’re successful, 18 – 20 year olds could move to the full adult rate, meaning a significant boost in pay for tens of thousands of retail, fast food and pharmacy workers.
Under Pressure
Last year, the SDA launched the Under Pressure campaign and created a 5-point plan calling for safe staffing levels, sustainable workloads, support for frontline workers, consultation on workplace change and collaborative work design.
This year we will continue our important work on this campaign, engaging with employers and industry bodies, advocating for stronger laws and regulations, negotiating better protections in Enterprise Agreements and Developing tools like the Workplace Action Plan to help workers assess safety in their stores.
The SDA is also here to support our members and help with any phychosocial hazards. you may encounter. If you’re understaffed, overworked, or facing abuse – it’s a hazard and it’s important
that you report it.