Woolworths suspends operations with major supplier over alleged “demeaning” workforce practice

Woolworths suspends operations with major supplier over alleged “demeaning” workforce practice
Woolworths has recently announced that it will be suspending arrangements with Teys Australia after a union body has called on the supermarket giant to take action on the alleged labour abuse of the abattoir towards its COVID-positive employees.

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Australian Council on Trade Unions accused Woolies’ major meat supplier, Teys Australia, of imposing a demeaning labour practice. Credit: InsideRetailer.com.

Australian Council on Trade Unions (ACTU) president Michele O'Neil released a statement on Saturday, calling out the "demeaning" practice that Teys Australia — one of Woolworths' main suppliers — imposed on their workers in South Australia where they were instructed to wear coloured hairnets depending on their infection status.

Ms O'Neil said in a statement: “Woolworths is turning a blind eye to the exploitation of workers by a major food supplier in the supermarket’s supply chain ... who are forcing workers to continue turning up for work even though they are infected.”

The union president also divulged that while the practice was demeaning to the workers, the staff are reluctant to take a stand.

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Woolworths announced the suspension of operations with Teys Australia SA over alleged “demeaning” practices towards employees. Credit: AAP.

However, the supermarket giant denied the claims, saying that the temporary COVID measures introduced by the authorities at the abattoir were out of their control.

A Woolworths spokeswoman confirmed the company's decision to suspend operations with Teys Australia SA, saying: “all supply through Tey’s South Australian facility while we work with Teys, SA Health and Safework SA to understand the protocols currently in place for their team and operations”.

It should be noted, however, that the supermarket retailer will continue to process meat through Teys’ facilities in other states and announced that it will source additional supply from partners.

It is understood that health officials took the supply chain crisis into account when deciding to approve the exceptional arrangements at the Naracoorte abattoir between Monday and Thursday last week in a bid to keep up with demand as supplies in supermarket stores dwindle. However, these measures have since been scrapped.
 
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Woolworths suspends operations with major supplier over alleged “demeaning” workforce practice
Woolworths has recently announced that it will be suspending arrangements with Teys Australia after a union body has called on the supermarket giant to take action on the alleged labour abuse of the abattoir towards its COVID-positive employees.

NuHJgKRkt6qLkqg0nVhpRonYyLt_F4Z_n9D7wNYS_zcoG4vssmYYIw8n4xtsA0otPv12GvHRqrDILOdrEIJk4t9CQOH6NaYIgSFz4QIst9IDG4B7XljMVW64F8azjLLZQ3XP_Is

Australian Council on Trade Unions accused Woolies’ major meat supplier, Teys Australia, of imposing a demeaning labour practice. Credit: InsideRetailer.com.

Australian Council on Trade Unions (ACTU) president Michele O'Neil released a statement on Saturday, calling out the "demeaning" practice that Teys Australia — one of Woolworths' main suppliers — imposed on their workers in South Africa where they were instructed to wear coloured hairnets depending on their infection status.

Ms O'Neil said in a statement: “Woolworths is turning a blind eye to the exploitation of workers by a major food supplier in the supermarket’s supply chain ... who are forcing workers to continue turning up for work even though they are infected.”

The union president also divulged that while the practice was demeaning to the workers, the staff are reluctant to take a stand.


Lg4BwrDOpD0OW3Am-_KCtTjntYdSENvatVEE2gBVtTOh5zc4JRtRh27iyJqEB4kxLcmyU__Ds2YjkBsBRd4JylZEOEuvzDkvuUhhdoqdfxKqVy12ev509fvbPKk8vKwzpAcNEJ8

Woolworths announced the suspension of operations with Teys Australia SA over alleged “demeaning” practices towards employees. Credit: AAP.

However, the supermarket giant denied the claims, saying that the temporary COVID measures introduced by the authorities at the abattoir were out of their control.

A Woolworths spokeswoman confirmed the company's decision to suspend operations with Teys Australia SA, saying: “all supply through Tey’s South Australian facility while we work with Teys, SA Health and Safework SA to understand the protocols currently in place for their team and operations”.

It should be noted, however, that the supermarket retailer will continue to process meat through Teys’ facilities in other states and announced that it will source additional supply from partners.

It is understood that health officials took the supply chain crisis into account when deciding to approve the exceptional arrangements at the Naracoorte abattoir between Monday and Thursday last week in a bid to keep up with demand as supplies in supermarket stores dwindle. However, these measures have since been scrapped.
Sth Africa? What is wrong with our Australian meats.
 
how is wearing a colored hairnet demeaning i only wore shorts and singlet for forty years as a long distance truck driver then came boots long pants long sleeved shirts hi vis shirts and the list goes on so please a hair net
Totally agree, it’s a bloody hair net people. By the way wrinkly1, thank you for being a truckie you all do am amazing job.
Now, so the problem is the different coloured hair nets right! What a lot of hoo ha about nothing. What shocked me the most is that these are South African workers, how is meat delivered to Woolies connected to South Africa, some one please explain that.
 
how is wearing a colored hairnet demeaning i only wore shorts and singlet for forty years as a long distance truck driver then came boots long pants long sleeved shirts hi vis shirts and the list goes on so please a hair net
The colour net they had to wear distinguished whether they had the virus or not. Bad form in my view. If it was me I just wouldn't have shown up for work until I tested negative.
 
Aus unions haranging Australian companies about South African company practices. I very much doubt that Woolies import much from south Africa they will be using Australian abbatoirs I'm sure
 
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South African workers! Really and they wear different coloured nets to distinguish their virus status. Are you kidding they have worker that are infected handling a food product?
And where’s our Australian meat anyhow, the unions once again are being moronic, money grabbing criminals.
As for Woolworths, well unfortunately I won’t comment in case children are reading this, if you get my drift.
 
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Aus unions haranging Australian companies about South African company practices. I very much doubt that Woolies import much from south Africa they will be using Australian abbatoirs I'm sure
Cant rely on all infirmation delivered to us. Fresh food people doubt ful as well
 
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Do es this article really mean South Africa or is it a typo and they really mean South Australia as I think there was mention of this on the news today and the reporter was in Adelaide.
 
Guys,
I think something has gotten mixed up a little here.
Apparently this is happening at the TEYS Naracoorte abattoirs in SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
Not as depicted in your article as SOUTH AFRICA.
Your article states South Africa, then says Health SA. Well this Health SA is Health South Australia.
Sage Murray is the General Manager of TEYS South Australia and he is the instigator of bringing asymptomatic workers back to work.
 
Hi Everyone,

Well spotted, it was supposed to say South Australia, not South Africa so we apologize for that one.

Also, the issue seems to be less about having to wear a coloured hair net and more about the fact that these people are being forced to work whilst infected with COVID-19.

Once again, well picked everyone!
 
Wow! That typo really upset some members. As an ex- butcher, i can guarantee Teys is most definitely an Australian company, i dealt with them in both my own business and as a Manager for Woolworths for many years. Hair nets are part of the workers uniform anyway, as are facial hair nets!
 
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