SPC chief executive Robert Giles slammed AMWU comments earlier this week as “designed to create fear and confusion among our employees and the broader community — the people they purport to represent”.
Mr Giles also said the AMWU was lacking in an understanding of the union’s role “compared to owners and directors” and was aiming to maintain its relevancy rather than servicing members.
He also said AMWU comments ignored advice from the World Health Organization and other leading health bodies regarding the threats posed by the Delta strain of the virus.
SPC last week announced its workers would need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November.
AMWU assistant state secretary Jason Hefford this week said workers hadn’t been consulted before the announcement and were “angry and upset” by the decision.
Mr Giles rejected those comments.
“This mandate is a business decision to ensure the safety of our staff as well as the broader community,” he said.
“It is the responsibility of the directors of the business (who are also liable) to provide a safe working environment — not the union.”
Mr Giles said throughout the pandemic SPC had prioritised the safety and wellbeing of staff.
“SPC has met and continues to meet its obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act, and we will continue to align our practices with the Human Rights Act and federal and state discrimination laws,” he said.
“The reception from the vast majority of our staff has been positive and we remain committed to working with both the union and our staff throughout this process.
“We are regularly speaking with our staff, offering them assistance as required and encouraging them to discuss their individual circumstances with their GP when making a decision regarding which vaccine is right for them.”
Mr Giles also rejected the assertion made by Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus on the ABC on Tuesday that vaccines were “a slippery slope” to businesses mandating medical procedures.
He said a number of businesses in various industries required employees to be vaccinated.
“This is nothing new and must be viewed in the context of the Delta strain of COVID-19, which poses a new and unique threat to the safety of our staff,” Mr Giles said.
“Staff members who have genuine medical grounds that preclude them from being vaccinated against COVID-19 will be treated with the utmost compassion.
“It is in fact for this small number of individuals that it is so critical that the rest of the workforce be vaccinated.”
SPC will meet with the union again next week.
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