South Australian meat supplier changes Covid-19 worker policy after trade union backlash

A key supplier for Australian grocery stores, including Woolworths, has reportedly done a U-turn on its Covid policies after a backlash.

A key meat supplier for Australian grocery stores has had to reverse one of its Covid-19 policies after a backlash from trade unions.

On Tuesday, news.com.au reported that the South Australian abattoir of Teys Australia, which supplies beef for companies including supermarket giant Woolworths, had copped heavy criticism for making staff work while Covid-positive.

At least 140 of Teys’ nearly 400 South Australian staff members had Covid-19 between Monday and Thursday last week but continued to work at the facility.

The abattoir employees were allowed to work as long as they were asymptomatic under an exemption to public health orders because they needed to process a large amount of beef that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Workers and union representatives complained about being forced to work, and also the “demeaning” way infected staff were separated from others — such as using different coloured hair nets.

This prompted Woolworths to temporarily suspend dealings with the company’s South Australian abattoir until they received clarification from health authorities.

Now, a day later, the union claims that the abattoir has bowed to workers’ demands in what could be a major backflip for the meat company.

Breaking!! We’ve just been advised.

No Covid-positive worker will be forced to work at Teys abattoir after the company agreed to union demands.

Workers with Covid will be able to isolate, rest at home & recover.

If you want to be safe at work, now’s the time to join your union

— Michele O'Neil (@MicheleONeilAU) January 17, 2022

In a statement, the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) said: “Teys has now announced that any worker who tests positive for Covid will be able to isolate at home, to keep themselves, their co-workers and the entire community safe.

“After the seven day isolation period, workers will only be required be return to work if they have remained asymptomatic for the preceding 48 hours.

“Importantly, nobody will be forced to go to work while Covid positive.”

The ACTU previously slammed the Teys policy as “exploitation” and said it was “dangerous and disgraceful behaviour”.

Woolworths has halted dealings with the Teys South Australia branch over the workplace allegations.

News.com.au has contacted Teys for comment.

On Tuesday, Teys Australia rejected the claims that it was forcing work upon sick employees and said everything was within the bounds of public health orders.

In a statement to news.com.au, a spokesperson said at the time: “Teys Australia works strictly according to the requirements of the relevant health authorities. We continue to work closely and responsively with health departments across several States.”

None of the staff members had tested positive in the last seven days, the beef processor assured news.com.au.

“SA Health has approved a limited return to work for asymptomatic individuals in roles critical to maintain supply, on the condition those individuals are feeling well and have isolated for seven days,” the meat supplier continued.

“If they meet these conditions, they must still be separated from other workers until 10 days after their diagnosis …

“No worker has been, or will be, forced to work if they are unwell. In fact, we are specifically instructing our workers not to present for work if they feel unwell or they do not meet the strict requirements of the relevant State health authorities.”

Woolworths sold beef from Teys nationally. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Nikki Short

ACTU President Michele O’Neil called the change a major win for workers and unions alike.

“This is an important victory for the workers at Teys Naracoorte and working people everywhere,” she said.

“The workers at Naracoorte in South Australia, backed by the AMIEU, the meatworkers union, the ACTU and the entire union movement, stood together to oppose workers being forced to go to work while Covid positive.

“Teys is a major supplier of meat to Woolworths, and the campaign of workers and supporters resulted in Woolworths suspending all of their orders to the site.

“Teys is part of Cargill, the world‘s largest food business, and Woolworths is one of Australia’s biggest companies. This was an important stand against big business putting workers’ health and safety at extreme risk.”