More than 150 clubs across every state and territory of Australia have publicly rejected Clubs Australia’s continued attack on the penalty rates of club workers.
Submissions to the Fair Work Commission show how clubs are fighting back and saying they will not cut penalty rates.
Comments from the 150 clubs that have lodged submissions focus on their commitment to their staff and commitment to community values. Submissions include:
"We are a small community run club, located in a rural and remote setting. We are at this point in time being seriously affected by the drought, as are most small communities within New South Wales. We aim to offer continued support to our staff during this hard time, so they are able to continue to provide for their families. Some staff are working to alleviate the loss of income from other avenues such as family farms." Hayley Gordon, Vice-President, Goolgowi Ex-Serviceman’s Club, NSW
"Our Club staff are highly valued by the Members General Committee and Trustees and indeed the community they serve. Our understanding of the evidence before the Commission thus far; indicates a lack of consultation by Clubs Australia with the member clubs about the Application and, it has disregarded clubs’ special status in the community." C.D.C. Scott, President, Public Schools Club, South Australia
(See more examples below)
The new digital tool at www.saveourweekend.org.au/goodclubs tells patrons whether their club has backed their staff in the Fair Work Commission against bosses group Clubs Australia’s persistent attempts to cut penalty rates of clubs workers.
More than 42,000 Clubs workers across Australia are facing the possibility of a pay cut of over $100 per week because of Clubs Australia’s case to cut penalty rates. This is the equivalent of giving the whole town of Dubbo a pay cut.
Jo-anne Schofield, National Secretary of United Voice, the union for club workers, says, "Australians understandably want to know where their local bowling club, RSL or golf club stands in relation to delivering an unfair pay cut to club workers.
"We have developed the Good Clubs Guide to answer that question.
"At last count well over 150 clubs have said they don’t agree with Clubs Australia’s attacks on workers’ weekend wages, and that list is growing.
"It’s quite telling that Clubs Australia, the supposed peak body of clubs, could only put forward one club in the Fair Work Commission in the July hearings that actually supported cutting penalty rates.
"We congratulate those clubs that are truly supporting their community and putting their community values first by standing by their staff."
The Good Clubs Guide gives a "good club" badge to clubs that have publicly supported their staff and opposed Clubs Australia.
The tool also gives patrons the opportunity to request a "good clubs check-up", to see whether their club is willing to join the fight against unfair and unaffordable weekend rate cuts for their workers. United Voice will follow up and ask nominated clubs directly whether they support their workers.
The next hearings on the matter are scheduled to begin in the Fair Work Commission on 29 October 2018.
Individual clubs from all over Australia still have the chance to obtain "Good Clubs" recognition by writing to the Fair Work Commission and stating their opposition to the abolition of the Clubs Award, which would entail substantial cuts to Saturday and Sunday rates.
"I am horrified to learn that Clubs Australia have the audacity to apply for such a major change, especially when that change goes against the absolute fabric in which Clubs pride themselves and the Industry that they apparently represent." Shane Berry, Chief Executive Officer, Moe Racing Club, Victoria
"We are a small club with 43 members in the countryside. School, Bowls Club, Farms and a few houses nothing else. A farming community. We are halfway between two small towns in QLD, Gayndah and Mundubbera. We support you as we feel that the clubs that have staff need to keep them, not only for the good of the club but also for the good of the community." John Stott, Chairman, Binjour Bowls Club, Queensland
"Our staff are highly valued by our Club members, Management and Board and in our local community. We do not wish to see them face a pay cut from a reduction in weekend and public holiday penalty rates." Michael McRae, President, South Perth Bowling Club, Western Australia.
"I still find it very difficult to understand why Club’s Australia and Club’s NSW Industrials, Mr Chris Mossman is taking the position without any consultation with the industry, Mr Mossman is not acting in the best interest of the Industry and our Clubs position is that we do not support the application by Club’s Australia to revoke the Clubs Award. Our Club supports the continued operation of the current Club Employees Award which includes the continual provision of penalty rates." Peter Kelly, General Manager, Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club, NSW
