{"id":37163,"date":"2022-01-27T06:29:52","date_gmt":"2022-01-26T19:29:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/development.uwu.org.au\/staging\/?p=37163"},"modified":"2025-07-28T16:08:20","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T06:08:20","slug":"workers-abandoned-by-morrison-as-omicron-takes-hold-in-hospo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/development.uwu.org.au\/staging\/archive\/workers-abandoned-by-morrison-as-omicron-takes-hold-in-hospo\/","title":{"rendered":"WORKERS ABANDONED BY MORRISON\u00a0AS OMICRON TAKES HOLD IN HOSPO"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

Hospo Voice, the hospitality arm of the United Workers Union, has been deluged with reports of COVID-19 spreading across the sector after venues have kept workers in the dark about possible positive cases.<\/p>\n

A COVID-19 outbreak at Melbourne\u2019s historic Mitre Tavern involving nine staff occurred after an infected customer had visited the pub. Workers allege that management failed to inform them they may have been exposed to the virus until after staff members began testing positive to COVID-19.<\/p>\n

Dangerous \u201clet it rip\u201d policies spearheaded by the Morrison government can be seen to be a green light to irresponsible employers across Australia.<\/p>\n

Scott Morrison has also introduced savage cuts and changes to the eligibility rules for Paid Pandemic Leave, abandoning workers when they need support the most, and is refusing to follow the US and UK governments by providing free rapid antigen tests.<\/p>\n

Unions are calling for proper income support for all workers and free rapid antigen tests to everyone in the community who needs them and warned workers won\u2019t hesitate to cease work if they face unsafe working conditions.<\/p>\n

Comment attributable to Jo Schofield, National President of United Workers Union:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis Omicron wave is devastating our community and bludgeoning our healthcare workers, but our Prime Minister is actually making it harder for workers to test and isolate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat we are seeing with these hospitality bosses is that they are mirroring Morrison\u2019s \u201clet it rip\u201d approach at a workplace level.\u00a0 People\u2019s lives are being put at risk, all in the name of maximising profits. It\u2019s disgusting.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf governments won\u2019t put our safety first, workers won\u2019t hesitate to cease work if they face unsafe working conditions, to protect the health of ourselves, our families and of our coworkers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Case studies:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Multiple Mitre Tavern staff tested positive on rapid antigen tests on Friday 24 December and then learned that management had allegedly received a health department text message on Tuesday 21 December that an infected customer visited the pub. However, workers at Mitre Tavern report that management failed to alert all staff of the infected customer.<\/p>\n

It is alleged management then failed to inform staff their co-workers had tested positive on rapid antigen tests. Staff believe the reason Mitre Tavern management didn\u2019t inform them of the rapid test results is likely because they wanted to remain fully staffed over the pre-Christmas period and believe this decision may have contributed to more staff getting COVID across the week.<\/p>\n

Workers informed the Hospo Voice that they have reported the Mitre Tavern to Victoria\u2019s workplace safety regulator WorkSafe and its Coronavirus Hotline.<\/p>\n

In a separate case at a cafe in Melbourne\u2019s outer east with close to 100 staff, workers say the venue\u2019s Christmas party on Monday 20 December may have acted as a super spreader event. Workers told the union that on Tuesday 21 December their colleagues began testing positive and they were told venue management was informed. Workers also told the union the venue allegedly waited until Thursday 23 December to inform all staff they may be infected or have been exposed and advised them to get rapid tests and isolate if positive. The venue continued operating until Christmas Eve before closing for two weeks. Staff estimate at least 50 workers became infected across the days leading up to Christmas.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile in Sydney\u2019s Northern Beaches, a hospitality worker at a bar\/restaurant has reported being called in to work while isolating and awaiting the results of a PCR test. The worker refused to come in, believing it to be unsafe. Again, Hospo Voice has received reports that management also failed to tell staff at the venue as soon as they became aware that their coworker had become infected. Workers estimate approximately 40 per cent of venue staff ultimately became infected with COVID-19.<\/p>\n

Across Australia\u2019s hospitality industry, Hospo Voice members are reporting that employers are:<\/p>\n