Jobs of hundreds of workers at Lobethal plant of Thomas Foods suspended

Hundreds of SA meat workers have been left without pay after they were stood down – with claims just a few days’ notice was given instead of at least a week.

Workers at Thomas Foods in Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills during a visit by the then Prime Minister Tony Abbott. Picture: File

Samuel Farley was just two months shy of hitting 10 years at Thomas Foods’ Lobethal plant when he showed up for work Monday and was told he no longer had a job.

“I couldn’t believe they would do this,” he said.

“They’re supposed to give us at least a week’s notice not days. They had plenty of opportunities to warn us earlier, but they waited until right before we came back from a three-week break. That just made it worse.”

Mr Farley is one of 200 to 300 afternoon shift workers abruptly stood down without pay or much warning, after the company blamed a drop in livestock supply and market pressures.

With a young son, rent to pay, and extended family overseas depending on him, Mr Farley now faces the very real possibility of having to leave his home in Lobethal to find work elsewhere.

“It’s just so stressful,” he said. “We’ve just been left in the cold.”

He is also unsure if he’ll receive the long-service entitlements he’s nearly earned after a decade on the job.

“Are they going to pay me or just leave it? That’s the question I want to find out.”

Samuel Farley has worked at Thomas Foods’ Lobethal plant for almost 10 years. Picture: Natasha Emeck

A letter to employees signed by Thomas Foods operations manager Lincoln Yardley and distributed on July 25 said the business was “experiencing significant market challenges, prevailing economic conditions and substantial reduction in stock supply which is impacting our production levels.”

“These issues have placed increased pressure on our operations,” he wrote.

“Despite our ongoing efforts to manage this situation, this has caused a stoppage of work for which TFI cannot reasonably be held responsible.

“Due to this stoppage, it has been determined that at this time you cannot be usefully employed in your substantive position or in any other role at this time.”

While the company maintains the stand-down was unavoidable, union leaders have hit out at the lack of transparency.

In a letter to members dated July 28, the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union told workers: “Your union expressed strong concerns regarding the timing and lack of notice — particularly as you are only just returning from an extended shutdown.

“This situation could and should have been handled more appropriately.”

SA Branch secretary Justin Smith said the decision was “very disappointing”.

“It’s also a very hard time particularly now that they’ve had three weeks off,” he told 5MU on Tuesday morning.

“It’s not unusual, it’s just disappointing ... the timing of it that’s really going to hurt these people.”

Mr Smith said Thomas Foods had not been forthcoming with why the workers had been suspended.

The afternoon shift workers were told just after 4.30pm last Friday they were suspended with immediate effect and no pay.

“A lot of the guys spent their savings and all of their leave and have come back to this news.”

“It’s also a very hard time particularly now that they’ve had three weeks off,” he told 5MU on Tuesday morning.

Mr Smith said Thomas Foods had not been forthcoming with why the workers had been suspended.

“In the meat industry we have a thing called regular daily hire and shutdowns due to shortages of stock,” he said

“(The workers) are definitely still employed but they can be stood down if the company struggles to find livestock.

“I believe Thomas Foods is in this sort of area where they do want to be working, they do want to be producing product but if the sheep aren’t there ... there’s not much more they can do and unfortunately, it’s the workers who pay the price.”

Mr Smith also spoke to FIVEAA on Wednesday morning, saying that he was “sympathetic” to the workers.

“I think it’s very important for your listeners to understand that the workers who put that prime piece of protein on their plate or their Sunday roast for them go through a lot to do that product,” he said.

“They’re not paid a hell of a lot, I’m sympathetic to our members that have to go through this …. it’s a tough thing to go through.”

Independent Kavel MP Dan Cregan said the sudden decision was “hitting the community hard”.

“The decision by TFI to stand down hundreds of workers at Lobethal is deeply concerning for Hills families and businesses, some of whom I’ve doorknocked over the winter,” he said.

“I have also been in contact with Thomas Foods to emphasise that our community needs certainty.”

A Thomas Foods International spokesman said management from the Lobethal plant had met with workers on Wednesday providing an update of processing operations.

“Given current market conditions, TFI will move to a single shift at its Lobethal

processing facility, which employs approximately 600 workers,” he said.

“The difficult but necessary decision to move from two shifts to one extended and

more efficient single shift, reflects drought conditions and lower livestock supply.

“The company expects the majority of the current workforce will continue to be

employed under the new working arrangements with employees also to be offered

work at its other sites, including Murray Bridge, if not required at Lobethal.”

Originally published as Jobs of hundreds of workers at Lobethal plant of Thomas Foods suspended