Please note: this is an old article
It was published in February 2014, so the information may be out-of-date.
SPC Ardmona workers have agreed to a wage freeze as the processor begins the $100 million modernisation and retooling of its operations at Shepparton, in northern Victoria.
Workers met with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union on Wednesday night and voted to extend the current enterprise bargaining agreement for at least the next 18 months. The move came after staff wages and conditions were described by the Prime Minister Tony Abbott as being overly generous, claims that were vigorously denied by the company.
The fruit processor is now committed to the Goulburn Valley for at least the next five years. The Victorian money comes with a range of conditions attached. SPC Ardmona has agreed to keep at least 500 full time workers at its plant and if it pulls out of Shepparton within the next five years, it will pay the money back. Mr Kelly says there will be no need for any more redundancies if recent strong sales continue.
"In the last 2 weeks we have seen a greater than 50 per cent uplift in demand for our products over that trend of the month preceding it," he said.
SPC has taken out full page ads in major newspapers to thank people for buying its product. There was a cautious reaction from fruit growers in the area, many of whom have already bulldozed their trees. Grower Chris Turnbull says it was just lucky timing that he did not pull out his trees.
Greater Shepparton City Council wishes SPC Ardmona well in their jouney to innovation and encourages all residents to support social media cause "SPC Sunday", information can be found via the link below.