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What we do

The SDA’s core business is to negotiate and secure better pay and conditions for workers in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Broken Hill.

Before we start negotiations, we always survey workers to find out what’s important to you and ensure your best interests are put first. From pay rises to rostering conditions, the SDA is determined to get the best outcome for members and stand up against unfair offers.

Through negotiations, the SDA has won superior conditions for our members including:

  • Secure rosters
  • Strong pay rises
  • Better break entitlements
  • Improved leave entitlements
  • The right to a work/life balance
  • Penalty rates for evenings, weekends and public holidays
  • Pathways to permanent work for casuals

The SDA also works hard to defend your existing entitlements at work.

When employer lobby groups call for pay cuts, penalty rate changes or try to take away your rights at work, the SDA stands up.

Latest bargaining news

ALDI workers vote to reject ALDI’s dud pay deal in landmark vote
“In a landmark move, ALDI workers across South Australia have rejected ALDI’s latest Enterprise Agreement. This was the result of a strong campaign by the SDA Union – South Australia’s largest union
Read more
SA, NT & Broken Hill
SDA wins bid to bargain for the first-ever Eudunda Farmers EBA
“Negotiations for the first-ever Enterprise Agreement at Eudunda Farmers Ltd Supermarkets will soon begin after a successful bid by the SDA at the Fair Work Commission.
Read more
SA, NT & Broken Hill

Our services

If you need help with a problem at work, our network of SDA Organisers, Delegates, Advocates and Information Officers are here to provide advice and assistance.

We offer SDA members:

  • Legal representation
  • Free confidential advice
  • Negotiation of your wages and conditions
  • Face to face support in the workplace
  • Representation in meetings and disputes
  • Advice on visas and immigration
  • Workplace health and safety services
  • Workers’ compensation representation

Did you know? The SDA recovered over $4 million in lost entitlements for SDA members in 2023.

If you need help with a problem at work, our network of SDA Organisers, Delegates, Advocates and Information Officers are here to provide advice and assistance.

If you’ve been underpaid, injured at work or unfairly dismissed, SDA Lawyers and Industrial Officers and Advocates can provide you with expert legal advice and representation at no extra cost.

Member Stories

How the SDA helps members

Employer pays $50,000 to settle underpayment claim
“Veg Out - a supermarket based in Victor Harbor- has paid $50,000 to settle an underpayment claim brought by the SDA union on behalf of their member Paul Baillie.
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SA, NT & Broken Hill
Irrinni’s story: “I feared for my safety every shift”
“While Irrinni had previously worked in retail and supermarkets, working in petrol was unlike other any other job she’d had before.
Read more
SA, NT & Broken Hill

Pushing for industry-wide and nation-wide positive change is a big part of what the SDA Union stands for.

Strong rights on public holidays, protections against customer abuse and violence and higher pay for Broken Hill workers were only possible thanks to the advocacy of the SDA. When SDA union members stand together and call for change, we win for all workers.

SDA campaigns help to make Australian workplaces better, fairer and safer.

The SDA’s No One Deserves a Serve campaign to eliminate abuse & violence from customers towards retail and fast food workers has brought the whole industry together to tackle the issue.

The SDA has been fundamental in securing stronger penalties for abusive customers in South Australia and NSW and running nation-wide advertising campaigns calling for respect.

 

The SDA’s campaign to have super on every dollar secured superannuation payments for workers on Government paid parental leave.

Now, we’re campaigning for workers under 18 to receive super too.

If you’re an adult, you should not be paid less for doing the same work as your co-workers over 21.

The SDA is currently campaigning to win an Adult Wage at an Adult Age to ensure retail, fast food and pharmacy workers are paid the adult rate from 18 years old.

The SDA has been fundamental in highlighting the unacceptable sexual harassment facing members in retail and fast food, especially young workers and women. Our campaign holds employers to account, educates SDA members on the issue, and supports workers who have experienced sexual harassment while at work, all while improving sexual harassment workplace laws.

Each year the SDA and the whole union movement run a strong case in the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review to lift minimum rates of pay in retail, warehousing, fast food, pharmacy and hair and beauty. Increases to Modern Awards also boost wages in SDA-negotiated Enterprise Agreements.

In 2022 and 2023, a claim by Australian Unions and the SDA led to historic increases to the minimum wage.

Our latest campaigns

Discover SDA’s active campaigns fighting for better wages, safer workplaces and fairer conditions.

View all campaigns
We're calling for better protections
Petrol station workers deserve safe workplaces
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SA, NT & Broken Hill
Keeping Young Workers Safe
Young workers safety
Learn more
SA, NT & Broken Hill

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