AWU Members Back Public Holiday on Christmas Eve Night

AWU members have spoken. Christmas Eve night should be made a public holiday in Queensland.

 
Thank you to the well over one thousand AWU members who took the time to complete our survey on making Christmas Eve a public holiday after 6pm

Over ninety-nine per cent of members responded in favour of making Christmas Eve night a public holiday.

Many took the time to tell us just how much having a Christmas Eve night public holiday would mean to them and their families.

The AWU made a formal submission to the State Government’s inquiry on behalf of all AWU members.

The union’s submission highlighted how important this change is for members and it clear the AWU supports a Christmas Eve public holiday.

 

 

Here’s what some AWU members had to say in support of making Christmas Eve night Public Holiday:

I believe retail staff should be given the option to work Christmas Eve and those that do should be entitled to penalty rates. I personally have not celebrated Christmas day with my family for 7 years due to working in retail and being told I have to work. My family is a 21 hour drive from where I live and it is physically impossible to get there.
Pamela, Retail

We work hard all year for our industry. They say we need to give 50% to our work and 50% to our home life. If we’re not happy with our home life, we won’t be happy at work. Christmas is a very special time for all families. Our employer should reward us with some extra family time.”
Andrea, Alumina Production

Because I am sacrificing time with friends and family to keep this mining operation running over the Christmas period, that should be rewarded.
Phillip, Mining