Retail and Fast Food workers received a 3.5% pay rise from 1 July, thanks to SDA members who stood up, spoke out and campaigned together with their union.
This result was delivered through the SDA’s Better Wages, You’re Worth It campaign, which had SDA members across the country demanding a fair wage rise.
SDA members and Shop Stewards turned out in public, completed surveys, shared their stories and made it clear: you need pay rises to reflect the increasing cost of living and value of your work.
These stories and insights then shaped the SDA’s national submission to the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review (AWR) case – the formal process that sets minimum and award wages for over three million Australian workers each year.
The SDA, alongside the broader union movement, made a strong case for a real increase in wages. We backed the submission by the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU), which was supported by robust economic research and real-life stories from union members like you.
The Labor Government also made a submission calling for real wage growth; a very positive shift from previous governments.
Together, we get results
Make no mistake: it was SDA members, the ACTU and the union movement through their campaigns, which made this pay rise happen.
Meanwhile, employer lobby groups lobbied for much smaller increases – just 2.5% from groups like the National Retail Association and the Australian Retailers Association.
They argued against real wage growth, even as workers continue to face rising costs in rent, groceries and bills.
Thanks to union members, the Fair Work Commission rejected those lower proposals and awarded a 3.5% increase – a 1.1% real wage rise after inflation.
That means an extra $34 a week, or around $1,768 more a year for a full-time retail or fast food worker.
Many SDA members are covered by enterprise agreements (EBAs) with pay rises that are linked to the pay rises awarded through the Annual Wage Review.
That means this win doesn’t just increase minimum and award rates, it also lifts SDA negotiated EBA wages.
This is a real wage increase that is above inflation – a much-needed step forward in rebuilding fair wages. It shows the power of being in a union; pay rises are not given, they are won.
Thank you to every SDA member and Shop Steward who played a part in this campaign. Your voice, your action, and your membership made this result possible.
Better Wages, You’re Worth It.
This is just the beginning
This year’s win is an important step – but the fight continues. The SDA is now building the next phase of the Better Wages campaign to push for stronger wage growth, fairer workplace standards , and to reclaim a living wage for all retail and fast food workers.
Together, we’ll keep up the pressure for fairer wages.
By Tony Stapleton, SDA Assistant Secretary