United Voice News
LHMU Queensland has organised an expo to help Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast hospitality workers understand their rights at work after an increase in the volume of workers calling Member Assist for help.
The expo, to be held at the Brothers Sports Club in Bundaberg on 8 September and at the Surfair Marcoola on 16 September, will feature presentations, workshops and stalls free of charge.
“Our Member Assist team takes hundreds of calls a year from hospitality workers who are concerned they’re not being paid properly or are not receiving the right superannuation payments,” LHMU Branch Secretary Gary Bullock said.
“In the Wide Bay and Sunshine Coast regions, there’s a lot of hospitality employers and we do take a lot of calls from the region.
“Alcohol related violence and security of patrons and workers has been an issue for some time in these regions.
“It is important from a workplace health and safety perspective that we address these issues and that members are aware of their rights.”
One of the most common things LHMU witnesses in the industry is young workers having their hours dropped to one or two a week on their employer’s whim.
“Most places only employ people casually, which gives workers little guarantee that they’ll be able to pay their bills from week to week,” Gary said.
“We strongly believe workers need to arm themselves with the facts instead of expecting their employer to do right by them – because some employers won’t.
“They need to understand pay rates, penalty rates, RSA and superannuation or they’ve got no hope of protecting themselves and their pay checks.”
Workshops will kick off at 10am at both venues.
For more information, industry members are invited to call LHMU Member Assist on 1800 065 885.
Similar workshops have been held in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast recently with all attendees walking out with a great deal of additional knowledge to assist them in their working lives.
