Retail workers are struggling with high cost of living, says union

Retail, fast food and warehouse workers say their financial and living standards have worsened during the past five years, according to a new survey.

SDA – the union representing workers in those industries – reports that 79 per cent of respondents said the rising cost of living is putting pressure on their household budgets, while 77 per cent said a delay in the National Wage Case would ease their financial burdens.

Likewise, childcare costs have risen 6.5 per cent and housing costs increased 6.7 per cent during the same period. The consumer price index rose 5.1 per cent during the last quarter.

SDA’s national secretary Gerard Dwyer said a commitment to support an increase in the minimum wage is critical to the well-being of the nation’s retail workers and their families.

“A wage rise needs to happen right now to help with skyrocketing costs of living and a decade of sluggish wage growth. We can’t let retail workers fall even further behind during this living crisis,” he said.

The union plans a television advertising campaign to promote the National Wage Case claim.

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