THE union overseeing hospitality workers will hold a rally outside the Capalaba Sports Club in Ney Road on Saturday.
The United Voice union, formerly the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Union, is protesting against the club’s decision to ask staff to sign an agreement reducing weekend penalty rates.
The club said the rally was unfair and staff felt threatened.
A club spokeswoman said contracts were outsourced to a company called HospitalityX and all agreements were certified by the Fair Work Commission and widely used within the industry.
Capalaba university law student Samarah Wilson, 20, who worked at the club, said she refused to sign the agreement.
“Up until a few months ago, I was employed at the Capalaba Sports Club. I received a call one day asking me to attend a meeting, where I was told workers at our site were being pushed on to a new agreement,” she said.
“By signing it, we were effectively giving the club permission not to pay us penalty rates. If we didn't sign it, we were told we would no longer have a job.
“Losing my penalty rates would have cost me almost $5000 a year and I couldn't afford to take that hit while working the same hours.
“I refused to sign the agreement. I lost my job.”
The proposed changes were revealed in a draft Productivity Commission report released last month.
The draft report recommends reducing Sunday penalty rates in line with Saturday rates.
Other proposed changes in the report include allowing all modern award employees to agree to swap particular public holidays for other days with their employers.
The union, which represents workers in hospitality, childcare, teachers' aides, aged care, property services, cleaning, security and maintenance has also released a petition at www.bitly.com/SamarahPetition
The rally will be at 113 Ney Road, Capalaba on Saturday from 11am.
