Casino failed to pay staff
WORKERS at Tasmania’s two casinos will be back paid for compulsory training they were told to undertake in their own time.
United Voice Tasmania announced this morning that workers at Federal Group’s Wrest Point and Country Club casinos would be back paid following a Fair Work Commission conciliation.
The union estimates up to 700 employees are affected and the cost of lost wages for unpaid training hours since 2013 could be up to $120,000.
The workers will be paid for the four to six hours it takes to complete the Responsible Conduct of Gambling courses.
The casino operator has also agreed to pay workers involved in any future compulsory training.
The union lodged a dispute against Federal Group in the Fair Work Commission in December.
It says workers had been directed by Federal Group since 2013 to complete the Responsible Conduct of Gambling course — which teaches employees how to recognise and address problem gambling — at home.
“It was wrong that Federal Group expected workers to not be remunerated for compulsory training that is a very important requirement of their day-to-day work. And it is outrageous that they’ve been expecting this of their staff since 2013,” Tasmanian branch secretary of United Voice Jannette Armstrong said.
“The union has also requested a full audit of all training practices at both casinos be conducted.
“Federal Group still has questions to answer to the public on this matter. The fact that they thought they could get a freebie from their staff for compulsory training means we really have to question just how serious their commitment to addressing problem gambling in Tasmania’s casinos really is.”
The audit will establish further details on the number of workers who will receive back pay.
Federal Group’s general manager for resorts and casinos Dominic Baker said the company had “participated in good faith in the process to reach a positive and fair outcome for our casino employees”.
“We are taking positive steps to resolve some of the additional matters raised,” Mr Baker said.
“We will continue to participate in good faith in the Fair Work Commission process and it would not be appropriate to provide further public comment at this time.”