Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association (SDA) is calling for the Pfizer vaccination to be made accessible for fast food workers as a matter of priority, following 12 confirmed cases at a fast food store in Punchbowl, Sydney recently.
The SDA is engaging with the NSW Government to address the urgent need for the young workforce to access age appropriate vaccines to help keep fast food workers safe whilst providing an essential service to the broader community.
SDA NSW Secretary Bernie Smith says the “fast food [sector] has a young workforce, many of them teenagers aged 16 to 18 years. That is why we need Pfizer for fast food workers now.
“The Government’s decision to offer supermarket and warehouse workers age appropriate vaccines in the eight locked down LGA’s has seen vaccination rates increase,” he said in a statement.
“This will minimise Covid in those workplaces, but also helps protect the whole community.
“Fast food outlets are essential services for other hard pressed essential workers on their way to or from work who depend on fast food workers to provide them with quick, convenient and affordable meals,” Mr Smith said.
“This is a difficult time for our members in this particular workplace. We have been in touch with our members directly and their employer. Sadly, some of our members have got Covid.
“Our priority is their immediate welfare but also to protect other young workers from this happening again.
“The safer fast food workers remain, the easier it will be for the community to keep getting the food they need.
“If you need to access fast food and take-away, please remember to help keep yourself, workers and fellow customers safe by wearing a mask, social distancing as much as possible, avoid congregating and respecting workers who are just doing their job,” Mr Smith concluded.
