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"Fully vaccinated workforce": First Aussie company to require the jab

<p>Aussie company SPC, famous for brands like Ardmona and Goulburn Valley, have become the first large-scale Australian company to insist on 100% vaccination from its staff members.</p> <p>The company released a statement saying it will require all staff to be fully vaccinated by the end of November in order to gain entry to any company location, adding their reason for taking this step is for “the health and well-being of all staff and the broader community”.</p> <p>The company continued, saying its senior leadership team and board “recognise the significant threat the COVID-19 Delta variant poses to both the business and the broader Australian community”.</p> <p>“A fully vaccinated workforce will ensure that SPC can continue to deliver an essential service while helping Australia return to an open economy in line with the Prime Minister’s four-point plan out of COVID,” the statement continued.</p> <p>Under the mandate, all staff - casual, permanent and contractors - must have at least the first dose of the vaccine scheduled by September 15, with the first dose administered by the end of October.</p> <p>All visitors to any SPC site will also be required to be vaccinated.</p> <p>People with a pre-existing health condition who are unable to receive the vaccine will be considered on a case-by-case basis.</p> <p>Staff will be offered compensation via paid time off when required to receive their vaccinations as well as paid leave of up to two days for any staff who possibly become unwell after vaccination.</p> <p>SPC is based in Victoria’s Goulburn Valley region, and joins a list of US companies such as Disney, Google, Facebook and Netflix that have all made vaccinations a requirement to return to their offices.</p> <p><strong>Fair Work Ombudsman states this works for ‘limited circumstances’</strong></p> <p>According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, “the overwhelming majority” of employers should assume they can’t require their employees to be vaccinated against coronavirus.</p> <p>But it does also state there are “limited circumstances” where an employer can instigate a condition such as this.</p> <p>COVID-19 vaccinations are already mandatory for all workers involved in the hotel quarantine program and residential aged care workers.</p> <p>SPC Chairman Hussein Rifai was reported as saying he believed the mandate is “the right thing to do”.</p> <p>“Lockdowns are not a sustainable solution and the Australian economy needs to open up again. The Delta variant poses a significant threat to our people, our customers and the communities we serve.</p> <p>“The only path forward for our country is through vaccination.”</p> <p>CEO Robert Giles said the company has already set up rigorous safety procedures at all sites but the mandatory vaccination is a “proactive” step which will shore up the company’s future.</p> <p>Giles added: “We firmly believe that it will be manufacturers and innovators like SPC who will help drive Australia’s post-COVID economic recovery.”</p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

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Good news for Coles shoppers!

<p>Coles, the supermarket giant, has given new life to a much-loved Aussie brand, which will expand the range of Coles-branded food by 1.8 million cans – thanks to a huge new deal with SPC. </p> <p>SPC had its value slashed from $147 million down to virtually nothing, after owners Coca-Cola Amatil couldn’t secure a buyer for the manufacturing facilities in Shepparton, Victoria.</p> <p>However, SPC managing director, Reg Weine, could not be more thrilled about the new business deal with Coles. He told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/coles-new-supply-deal-offers-lifeline-and-greater-range-for-beloved-canned-fruit-brand/news-story/15b34823880a26cdb50b2895dac293df" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>:</p> <p>“It is great to see Coles continue to support local businesses and growers.”</p> <p>“The Coles brand volume will improve our factory utilisation and will also provide our growers with an additional outlet for their quality fruit.”</p> <p><img style="width: 500px; height: 500px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7826002/fruit-salad.jpeg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/123b9389bda54070b68458978a125328" /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>SPC Fruit Salad</em></p> <p>The news will ease anxieties of local growers in the area, like John Paulos. This is due to the new range of locally farmed peaches, pears and apricots that will be sold via Coles.</p> <p>“Each peach tree represents a seven-year commitment until they are producing fruit, and it’s even longer for pears — you plant pears for your heirs — so to have a commitment from Coles for this fruit makes life so much easier,” he said.</p> <p>“It takes a while to get a tree cropping and there’s not really any fresh market demand for the fruit, as these varieties are especially grown for canning.</p> <p>“So, to be able to maintain these trees and not have to think about replanting new varieties is very important to us.”</p> <p>Head of Coles Brand, Mark Field, said that the chain is proud to expand its range of Australian-grown fruit.</p> <p>“We know our customers want top quality food, and equally they want to know that they are helping to support Australian farmers and Australian jobs,” he said in a statement.</p>

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