UNIONS Tasmania has labelled a move to introduce one-hour minimum shift work as "ridiculous", claiming the Launceston Chamber of Commerce push will target vulnerable workers. The chamber will raise the matter, as well as penalty rates, as major points during a Productivity Commission public hearing in Hobart on Monday. Unions Tasmania organiser Adam Clark said the outcomes of any shift reduction would leave employees without means to support themselves. "We're completely opposed to that," he said. "The reality is that more people who would be getting paid to do one-hour shifts would be on award wages, and likely juniors anyway. "They're people earning the minimum wage; it would be paying people less than $10 to do a shift at work." He said people could face the scenario where it cost them more for transport to their work than their shift's pay cheque. The Metz owner Jason Mercer said he supported the one-hour proposition, but said it was important that employees were considered in any proposition. "I think that it's a good idea to reduce it to a minimum of one hour, as long as there are safeguards in place for employees - it has to be justified," he said. "If you put an employee on a shift and it's extremely quiet, it's only hurting businesses if the minimum is two hours." Star Bar owner Michael Acquarola said additional flexibility for employers would benefit businesses. "It gives that business the opportunity to stay in business - the key is reducing wages, if you can lower your overheads. And I think it's a good thing," he said. Mr Clarke said the union would be attending the hearing in Hobart next week.
UNIONS Tasmania has labelled a move to introduce one-hour minimum shift work as "ridiculous", claiming the Launceston Chamber of Commerce push will target vulnerable workers.
The chamber will raise the matter, as well as penalty rates, as major points during a Productivity Commission public hearing in Hobart on Monday.
Unions Tasmania organiser Adam Clark said the outcomes of any shift reduction would leave employees without means to support themselves.
"We're completely opposed to that," he said.
"The reality is that more people who would be getting paid to do one-hour shifts would be on award wages, and likely juniors anyway.
"They're people earning the minimum wage; it would be paying people less than $10 to do a shift at work."
He said people could face the scenario where it cost them more for transport to their work than their shift's pay cheque.
The Metz owner Jason Mercer said he supported the one-hour proposition, but said it was important that employees were considered in any proposition.
"I think that it's a good idea to reduce it to a minimum of one hour, as long as there are safeguards in place for employees - it has to be justified," he said.
"If you put an employee on a shift and it's extremely quiet, it's only hurting businesses if the minimum is two hours."
Star Bar owner Michael Acquarola said additional flexibility for employers would benefit businesses.
"It gives that business the opportunity to stay in business - the key is reducing wages, if you can lower your overheads. And I think it's a good thing," he said.
Mr Clarke said the union would be attending the hearing in Hobart next week.
