ALH Group lays off 8000 pub, club workers
As many as 8000 staff across 300-plus licensed venues operated by ALH Group are to be laid off due to pub lockdowns.
ALH Group, the pubs and pokies joint venture between the Mathieson family and Woolworths, is understood to have stood down as many as 8000 of its staff across its 300-plus licensed venues as state governments close pubs and clubs across Australia to battle coronavirus.
ALH employs about 15,000 people in 300 venues, such as pubs and hotels, and 550 liquor outlets and is part of the Endeavour Group within supermarket retailer Woolworths that was set to be spun off or floated later this year.
But as up to 8000 ALH staff now look to be jettisoned from the group as its pubs are closed indefinitely, that float of Endeavour Group, which also includes the Dan Murphy’s liquor chain, is now on the backburner.
It is believed some of those ALH staff who are set to lose their jobs could be redeployed into Woolworths, which is coping with a spike in demand as shoppers panic buy, but it is unclear how many ALH staff will find a home in Woolworths.
A spokesman for Woolworths said 650 ALH employees had been offered roles in other parts of the group and another 2000 would be offered roles in the next 24 hours. But he did not confirm if 8000 staff had been stood down.
ALH is paying personal leave or, where no personal leave exists, COVID-19 leave for up to two weeks. In the case of full-time employees, the payment will be 38 hours each week; part-time employees will receive their guaranteed hours; and for casual team members, the payment will be based on their upcoming two-week roster.
Meanwhile, then maker of the famous Jacob’s Creek wine, Pernod Ricard, has warned that its harvest could be ruined by enforced shutdowns that could threaten the loss of an entire year’s production.
Bryan Fry, chairman and chief executive of Pernod Ricard Winemakers, owner of the Jacob’s Creek and St Hugo labels, said looming shutdowns came at a terrible time for the winemaker.
“We are in the midst of vintage at our Barossa Valley winery and have put in place unprecedented measures to protect the health of our staff, suppliers and customers,” Mr Fry said.
Any shutdown for an agricultural company came with the added complications of the seasons and short, set periods within the year when harvesting must take place.
“Winemakers get one opportunity a year to produce wine. That time is now,” Mr Fry said.
“Any decisions that result in our winery operations having to cease will result in the loss of an entire year’s worth of production.
“The impact on jobs and exports would be catastrophic across the industry, particularly in regional communities.
“The industry has just emerged from a summer that delivered an unholy trinity of drought, fire and smoke taint — unnecessary restrictions are the last thing we need. We understand and support more stringent health protections at this time — but the least governments can do is allow Australians to buy and enjoy a wine, beer or spirit with their families over dinner during such a difficult period.”