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Retail and Fast Food Workers deserve safer workplaces, and the SDA is committed to seeing laws that protect them at work.

On 29 May 2025, a senseless and brutal stabbing of an SDA member at Woolworths in Bairnsdale highlighted the urgent need for stronger legal protections for retail and fast food workers in Victoria. This isn’t an isolated incident.

The 2023 SDA ‘No One Deserves a Serve’ survey revealed a disturbing 12.5% of retail workers reported physical violence from customers – an alarming increase from 8% in 2021. This surge in violence is completely unacceptable and demands urgent action!

SDA Secretary Michael Donovan and Industrial Officer Anthony Lay supporting the Abusive Customers Deserve Tougher Penalties Campaign

What’s being done?

Thanks to the SDA’s campaigning, other Australian states like Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales have already introduced tougher penalties and specific offences for assaults on retail and hospitality workers.

And now, your voices are being heard in Victoria! In May 2024, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, a former retail worker and SDA Delegate herself, announced that her Labor Government will introduce new laws to better protect retail and fast food workers. These laws will also extend protections to public transport and hospitality workers.

SDA leading the charge

Consultations have begun, with SDA Secretary Michael Donovan actively participating to ensure your concerns are listened to by the Allan Labor Government as it crafts these new laws. We are the voice for retail and fast food workers in Victoria.

The SDA is working for the introduction of specific indictable and summary offences for assaults on workers, including both physical assaults and the apprehension of violence.

The Workplace Protection Consultation Group, which includes unions and employers, is working to deliver meaningful reforms that make workplaces safer for all.

Safety in the workplace is union business

The SDA remains committed to advocating for the safety and dignity of our members in the face of customer abuse and violence – because no one deserves a serve.