The foodservice industry has won a long-running battle to cut Sunday penalty rates, with the Fair Work Commission (FWC) deciding to reduce Sunday loadings for casual staff from 175 per cent to 150 per cent from July 1, 2014.

Employer group Restaurant & Catering Australia (R&CA) has run a two-year campaign to reduce penalty rates, appealing to the full bench of the FWC after its deputy president rejected an R&CA application in October 2013.

R&CA chief executive officer John Hart estimated the industry would save around $112 million a year in wages.

“Businesses that are currently shut on Sundays may re-consider closing – returning convenience to Sunday diners,” he told Business Insider Australia.

His group would continue to push for further changes to the award to reduce penalty rates when the FWC’s four-yearly review of awards returns.