By political reporter Eliza Borrello
The industrial umpire has received more than 6,000 submissions to its review of hospitality and retail penalty rates and could hand down its decision in the middle of the federal election campaign.
The Fair Work Commission is aiming to release its decision within 12 weeks of its last hearing on April 15, meaning it could come at an uncomfortable time for the Government if it holds a July 2 poll.
Government ministers, still scarred by the 2007 WorkChoices campaign, are at pains to distance themselves from the decision, stressing the commission is independent of the Government.
In December, a government-commissioned review by the Productivity Commission recommended penalty rates on Sundays should be no higher than on Saturdays, given the 24/7 economy and fewer Australians going to church.
It is a hot topic in Goulburn in regional New South Wales.
Local barista Tom Gaskin gets penalty rates and wants to keep them.
“I’ve got three kids under four, so I give up time with them [to work weekends]. Also, a lot of my other friends who work Monday to Friday, it’s hard for me to see and make plans with them,” he said.
Sixteen-year-old retail worker Edward Mottley agreed and was uncertain whether it would be worth working if loadings were cut.
“I’d probably be chilling with one of my mates, washing the car or helping mum around the house,” he said.
The union movement is mobilising in the countdown to the commission’s ruling.
Its television advertisements convinced newsagent Leanne Jarvis to share her story.
She works seven days a week because she cannot afford to pay staff weekend rates and wants some reprieve.
“I work the counter [on] Saturdays and Sundays myself … It’s not very easy to be a newsagency these days,” she said.
Ms Jarvis said a cut to Sunday rates would allow her to have the odd day off without worrying about staff wages cutting too much into her profit.
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
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