In responding to the Federal Court’s decision to dismiss the appeal of the Fair Work Commission’s decision on penalty rates, James Pearson, CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry said:
“The Federal Court has backed up the Fair Work Commission’s decision and it is time for the union movement to accept the umpire’s decision and stop its campaign of misinformation.
“Sunday penalty rates have not been abolished, the decision only affects around 220,000 people in retail, pharmacy, hospitality and fast food, and we are talking about limited changes – for example, from double-time to time-and-three quarters for Sunday work.
“Now that the Federal Court has made its decision, employers should be able to get on with implementing these changes, and start offering longer opening hours and more shifts on Sundays.
“It is time for all sides of politics to accept the decision and allow employers to get on with creating jobs.”