Cassandra Fernando (Holt, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Black Friday is fast approaching and while it can be an opportunity for good deals it certainly does nothing good for retail, warehouse and logistic workers across this nation, particularly Amazon workers. In Amazon warehouses, the SDA for many years have been fighting against the race to the bottom of their members' wages and conditions. When Amazon withdrew a permanent job offer to a labour hire worker after she revealed she was pregnant, the SDA represented her and took the company to the Federal Court. A successful settlement was reached earlier this year, but it is disappointing the case had to go to court in the first place.

For Amazon Flex drivers it is not much better, with intense pressure to drive dangerously overloaded trucks or be threatened with the sack or reduced hours. This system is unsustainable, and the Transport Workers Union has been working hard to see this practice come to an end. All these workers are asking for is a safe job that pays a living wage. I don't think that is a massive ask. My message to Australians seeking a great deal this Black Friday is to vote with your wallets and do not support a company that refuses to support its own workers.