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There has been a lot of discourse in the community recently about Trading Hours in Queensland and whether allowable trading hours should be extended or deregulated.

When looking to make changes to any legislation, it’s important to consult with all stakeholders who will be affected by the decision. In the case of extensions to trading hours, this includes the retail workers who would have to be available and work over a larger span of hours.

The SDA recently surveyed our members working in retail to get an indication of their views on trading hours.

We received an overwhelming response to the survey, with 2,402 respondents letting us know their thoughts.

81.43% of respondents indicated they did not support any extensions to trading hours and wanted the SDA to oppose any attempt for permanent extensions.

Our members said:

“We are already short on team members and extended hours will mean extended shifts which we are already doing because of the lack of team members. Which then means no family/friends time. Also because of the lack of team we will get more abuse more shopping lifting and more exhaustion we all ready have. What happened to Christmas is a time for families and enjoying the time we have.” – Retail worker at a Supermarket in North Brisbane

 

“There is no point. If the store is quiet during the day, extra hours at night will not benefit. We are under staffed already. Hours already get cut from shift because there isn’t enough budget to pay for the staff. How do they intend to open longer? We are always told not enough money in budget, now they want to spend more of what they tell us they don’t have?”
– Retail worker at a Department store in Brisbane

The responses indicate that SDA members do not want further extensions to trading hours because:

  • They do not want their rosters changed to hours that may interfere with work and family commitments;
  • Extra workload stress during peak periods as staffing levels may be ‘spread thinner’ throughout the day;
  • Extending trading hours late into the night may put workers at greater risk of customer abuse and violence, particularly when staffing levels and centre security are reduced.

Business Council of Australia on Trading Hours

Recently, the Business Council of Australia (BCA) has taken aim at trading hours, urging the State Government to override the Queensland Industrial Relations Commissions authority over Trading Hours matters and extend them. Local Councils have also proposed that they be given the power to determine when shops can trade.

The SDA believes, that any extensions of trading hours should be a decision of the QIRC so the views of all stakeholders are taken into account when considering applications for trading hours extensions.
SDA Queensland Secretary, Justin Power, has written to the Queensland Premier seeking a commitment that the Government will not introduce legislation or use its powers to unilaterally extend trading hours. We will keep members updated when we receive a response from the Premier.

UNION WIN: QIRC dismisses Harbour Town Extended Trading Hours Application

Several months ago, Harbour Town Centre Management lodged an application at the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) to extend trading hours for large retailers, such as Woolworths, within the centre.

The SDA sought feedback from our members working at Harbour Town which indicated a large majority of SDA members at the centre did not support extensions to trading hours, and so the SDA opposed the Application at the Commission.

The QIRC heard evidence from several stakeholders, including the SDA, before making their decision and dismissed the application on the basis that:

  • There was insufficient evidence that the allowable span of trading hours does not meet the current needs of the tourism market;
  • Many stores do not even currently trade for their maximum number of allowable trading hours, so it would seem the needs of the population are being served by the current allowable trading hours;
  • Employment opportunities would be minimal unless store wage budgets were also increased in line with extended trading hours;
  • Employees may need to be available over a longer span of hours and consequently affect family and care arrangements; and
  • Other issues surrounding the suitability of extended trading hours for Harbour Town which are outlined in the decision.

The topic of extensions to trading hours is a big issue for our members, and the SDA will continue to fight for them to remain reasonable and allow a decent work/life balance for retail workers.