Penalty rate cuts hit young

By Sean Lennon

MELBOURNE -- Young workers in the hospitality industry would be hardest hit if the employers' challenges to penalty rates before the industrial courts succeed, according to the Victorian Trades Hall Council.

If the employers get their way, wages of a 17 year old working 15 hours a week from Monday to Friday at a fast food outlet would drop from $102.60 to $77.00. If they work 10 hours on the weekend, they could lose up to $30.

Employers also want to scrap superannuation payments for people under 18 and make their workers pay a minimum of $25 towards the cost of their uniforms. Part-time workers would lose their loadings while those of casual workers would be reduced.

The Liquor Trades Union has mounted a campaign to try to protect penalty rates. This includes an outdoor advertising campaign and an industrial campaign. It is fighting the case in both federal and state Industrial Relations Commissions.

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