RETAIL workers in the Parkes electorate would be out of pocket for up to $24 million a year if penalty rates are cut, according to the most recent research which was conducted by the McKell Institute.
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The research came at a time when about 30 people met at the Dubbo RSL on Thursday to discuss plans to fight off any play that is made on the penalty rates they receive.
Shop, Distribute and Allied Employees' Association NSW Secretary Bernie Smith is adamant killing off penalty rates won't just impact on the employees losing wages, but will have a negative effect down the line on businesses and the economy in that community.
"There are massive flow on effects with cutting penalty rates," he said.
"Firstly, those employees that work weekends suddenly have a big reduction in the wages they're earning.
"This gives them less money to spend in other businesses and on services.
"There is less money being spent around town, there is then less people getting jobs or keeping their jobs, so that town is the big loser."
Trish Williams, who has worked at Bunnings in Dubbo since it opened seven years ago, forecast a negative impact on the community if there is a cut to penalty rates.
"There is a lot of young families in Dubbo where one parent stays at home during the week while the other works, and then they work on the weekend," she said.
"Cutting penalty rates would have a massive impact on their mortgage payments and alike."
Allan Diggelman agreed with Ms Williams, and said if a cut to penalty rates was forthcoming, he would be unable to see his children and grand kids as regularly as he currently does.
"My children live interstate or in Sydney and I like to see them as much as possible," he said.
"I work three in every four weekends so we'd be talking hundreds of dollars for me and that would have a massive impact.
"You look at the smaller towns in rural NSW, and a lot of people in those towns are employed part-time and rely on penalty rates.
"Without them, many would be forced to find another job, which then might stop someone from working, and if they can't get that job they will be forced out of the town.
"This could lead to the death of these smaller towns."