Thomas Foods fire update
- By: "Farm Tender" News
- Farm Tender, DelayPay & Farm Inputs
- Jan 08, 2018
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Thomas Foods International is focussing on a range of options to assist employees affected by the fireat Murray Bridge.
Our senior management team met with the Australian Meat Industry Employees Union this morning and together we’ve agreed to work collaboratively in ensuring the best outcomes for affected staff.
The Murray Bridge workforce will be on two weeks leave as of today as we work through our redeployment strategy. We have spoken with labour hire agencies and ceased the temporary employment arrangements for the 417 visa workers at Murray Bridge.
Our family company is committed to Murray Bridge and we are taking a long-term and sustainable approach to the recovery and rebuild. As such, we are not in a position to provide any further detail on our employment strategy.
We have received numerous offers of assistance from a range of organisations, local businesses and the Government which have been much appreciated. We are also aware of other local businesses offering temporary positions.
The overwhelming community response and support has been incredible. I thank everyone involved with the support centre established at Murray Bridge which hasprovided much valued assistance to the local community.
Over the past few days I have spoken with many employees and their families at Murray Bridge and I understand the uncertainty an event such as this causes.
I have reassured them that our family company remains fully committed to finding the best possible outcome for our employees. We stand by our staff at this difficult time, providing what assistance and support we can.
We have not yet had full access to the site to determine the full extent of the damage caused by the accidental fire, and that may not be known for some time.
There is no doubt the fire caused significant damage to our plant, however we’re continuing to manage customer orders through our other group processing operations.
The site will require significant repair and upgradebut we are committed to re-building and creating an even better meat processing facility in the future.
Darren Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Thomas Foods International
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