About the SDA

What is the SDA?

The Shop Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA) is a trade union representing workers in the retail industry. The SDA goes in to bat for workers right across the retail, fast food and warehouse industries. We fight for better wages and conditions and offer value for money membership.

The Association is made up of over 20,000 members in South Australia, the Northern Territory and Broken Hill. Members have the peace of mind that comes with knowing the SDA can protect their rights at work.

The SDA offers help to its members at all levels, from the shop floor to the Industrial Commission.

For a comprehensive look at the SDA’s services,
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The History of the SDA

The SDA has looked after the rights of retail workers for more than 100 years.

As a result of the union’s hard work and dedication since 1908, SDA members are among the highest paid retail workers in the world today.

No wonder the SDA is Australia’s most successful union with more than 220,000 members in retail, fast food and retail distribution.

The SDA has stood side by side with the nation’s retail workers as the industry revolutionised into its modern-day form, having endured historical events from the Great Depression to World Wars and then transformed in the 60s with the advent of American-style shopping centres and multinational companies.

Throughout the years, the union has won fantastic improvements for retail workers including the five-day week, the 38-hour week, equal pay for women and one of the greatest achievements of all – superannuation for retail workers.

The SDA is a key player when it comes to paid maternity leave and occupational health and safety issues and is always at the forefront of protecting workers from unfair dismissal, termination and redundancy. The SDA was at the forefront of the campaign against John Howard’s WorkChoices which undermined the rights of ordinary Australian workers.

With such an emphasis on the rights of its members, it’s no wonder the SDA continues to grow and prosper today. Your union is still ready to be front and centre if the right to a “fair go” for any of its members is challenged.