Fruit and vegetable giant SPC has refused to budge on its requirement that all its staff be vaccinated despite union claims that it is punitive and unrealistic. But one expert says the increased availability of vaccines may now mean such a mandate is legal.

The food manufacturer was locked in meetings for much of Monday afternoon with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union but did not retreat on its policy announced last week – the first for an Australian employer – that all staff be vaccinated in less than three months.