Penalty rates deal unlikely for WA

A landmark deal that will slash weekend penalty rates for retail workers in South Australia looks unlikely to be replicated in WA unless business groups put better overall wages and benefits on the negotiating table.

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association has agreed to trade reduced weekend penalty rates for an 8 per cent increase to base pay rates, guaranteed annual pay rises and better rostering in SA.

Under the deal, penalty rates after 6pm and on Saturday will be abolished and Sunday loadings would be halved.

Public holiday rates would be cut from 150 per cent to 100 per cent.

The SA template enterprise agreement was welcomed by Premier Colin Barnett and Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA chief executive Deidre Willmott, who said it provided a good basis for future discussions with unions about the role of penalty rates.

But the Shoppies' WA secretary Peter O'Keeffe was not available for comment yesterday and WA's peak union body was cold on the idea.

Ms Willmott said she would be open to talks about whether a similar deal could be struck in WA.

"This agreement is a major development because it's a major union showing that they agree that penalty rates are outdated and need to be addressed, particularly for small and medium business in retail," Ms Willmott said.

"I think our members would certainly like to know that there is support for agreements that look at those kinds of trade-offs."

"We would certainly be happy to have a discussion about whether a similar deal would provide options for employers in WA."

Mr Barnett said he would support a similar arrangement for WA.

"It's now a seven-day economy, including night times," Mr Barnett said.

"I think it is reasonable that people are paid extra for night time or weekend work," Mr Barnett said.

"The problem is that the penalty rates are out of any proportion that makes sense."

UnionsWA secretary Meredith Hammat said the SA agreement was a matter for the SDA and its members, but there was currently no proposal for any framework agreement in WA.

"Current campaigns by employer organisations have not offered increased wages and conditions in exchange for reduced penalty rates," Ms Hammat said.

"They are only interested in attacking the pay packets of West Australian workers."

United Voice WA secretary Carolyn Smith said weekends mattered and protecting penalty rates was a key part of building better jobs.

"At no stage have groups such as Restaurant and Catering Australia ever put additional benefits for workers on the table," Ms Smith said.