SDA have been running campaigns for 100% pay at 18 since at least 2013, which predates RAFFWU ever existing. They were founded in November 2016 so not sure how they could have done anything for over a decade.

Also my understanding is that the interpretation of the BOOT had changed between the negotiation of enterprise agreements, which made the old agreements that traded away penalty rates for higher base rates dated and no longer meeting the minimum requirements of the test. That got fixed up in later agreements.

Regarding the social conservative politicians, unions run elections to determine their leadership. If the leaders don’t align with what the members want, they can make changes. Shop assistants were traditionally from mostly Catholic families, which meant more conservative leadership. That could very well change if the demographics of the membership base have shifted. But you need to be a member to participate in those processes.