The Fair Work Commission’s cut to Sunday penalty rates forces one couple to downsize their wedding

BEKA Scott wept at work when she heard the news that her Sunday penalty rates will be cut because it also meant downsizing her wedding.

Mother of seve, Beka Scott pictured with her partner Michael Scott will be hit hard by the penalty rates decision. Picture: David Swift

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BEKA Scott wept at work when she heard the news that her Sunday penalty rates will be cut because it also meant downsizing her wedding.

Like many Mt Druitt area residents, the Whalan mother-of-seven and family breadwinner relies on those penalty rates to keep body and soul together.

She estimates the Fair Work Commission’s ruling could cost over $100 a week in her job as a permanent part-time supervisor for a craft and fabrics retailer­.

And that means she will have to downsize her wedding next January.

Mother of seven Beka Scott pictured with her partner Michael Scott will be hit hard by the penalty rates decision. Picture: David Swift.

She has been saving hard to make it as special as possible for her and her partner of 17 years Mick, who receives­ a carer’s allowance to look after their autistic youngest son. But the already­ modest event planned for a community hall will now have to shrink even further.

“We’re relying on tax time to pay the celebrant,” she said. “Maybe we will have to set up a Go Fund Me page.”

Ms Scott is one of more than 25,000 workers across the Blacktown local government area that will be affected. Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali estimates the decision will cost residents a combined $12 million.

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali estimates 25,000 workers in his region will be hit by the penalty rate cuts.

“I love my job and I love my company but I rely every Sunday on that pay. That’s what gets us through,” Ms Scott said.

“I can’t afford to lose that money. We budget for everything. I was at work when I saw it (the ruling) and I had a few tears. We are very happy but we struggle.

“Why pick on the working class? It feels like a kick in the teeth.”

Unions have vowed to campaign against the decision to cut the Sunday and public holiday rates for hundreds of thousands of workers in the retail, hospitality, fast food and pharmacy sectors­ by 50 per cent in some cases, from double time to time and a half.

Mt Druitt Chamber of Commerce President Reg Murray (pictured right with Mayor Stephen Bali) says the penalty rate cuts were inevitable.

Employers hailed the move as a boost to jobs and longer trading hours.

Mt Druitt Chamber of Commerce president Reg Murray said lower wages bills would help small businesses but would clearly hit workers, such as his granddaughter, employed in fast food outlets.

PENALTY RATE CUTS

■ Will hit 25,000 workers in the Blacktown area

■ An estimated $12m in wages will be lost

■ Employees working eight-hour Sunday shifts could lose $6000 a year