Woolworths strike to continue as supermarket shelves stripped bare

Woolworths has been unable to reopen a critical distribution centre in Melbourne to improve stock levels for Victorian customers as the ongoing industrial action strips supermarket shelves in the lead-up to Christmas. Unionists from the United Workers Union (UWU) have held their picket lines on Monday morning to block major Woolworths distribution centres. Among failed pay negotiations leading to more than 1500 workers to walk off the job indefinitely for better pay and working conditions, a unionist on the picket line said the industrial action would “intensify” unless their demands were met. Woolworths stock levels have started looking a little thin across parts of NSW, Victoria and the ACT as a result of the strikes. As part of the industrial action, which has been ongoing for 11 days, four of the supermarket’s primary connect distribution centres – three in Victoria and one in NSW – and a Lineage partner site have been impacted by the strike, leaving supermarket shelves empty across multiple stores. Items missing from shelves include soft drinks, rice, pasta, meat, bread and frozen goods. “We know that there have been shortages on our shelves in some Woolworths stores and that this is really frustrating for our customers,” a Woolworths spokesman said. “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and would like to thank our customers for their understanding and for treating our teams with respect. Woolworths planned on reopening its primary connect Melbourne south regional distribution centre (MSRDC) on Monday morning – the most significant site subjected to the industrial action – but has been unable to do so because of a picket line of workers. This means stocks of essential food and groceries like toilet paper, nappies, and drinks are not yet set to improve across Victorian supermarkets. “We’ve been working tirelessly to reopen our Melbourne South regional distribution centre so we can improve the amount of essential grocery items on our shelves for our Victorian customers,” the spokesman said. Last week, Woolworths Group presented an offer to the Shop, Distribution and Allied Employees’ Association, including 16 points that had been subject to negotiations, including better pay that is approximately 40 per cent above the Storage Services Award. In late November, more than 1500 UWU members walked off the job after disputes over better pay and work conditions. The union is asking for an annual pay increase between 10 and 12.5 per cent, with UWU national secretary Tim Kennedy saying “workers at Woolworths need a proportionate wage increase to deal with the cost pressures they face”. The strike also aimed to permanently scrap the supermarket’s “framework”, which the union claims is unsustainable and unsafe management approach. “Workers have reported feeling pressured to cut corners and work unsafely or lose their job if they don’t pick at higher speeds,” Mr Kennedy said. “Woolworths must prioritise the safety and wellbeing of workers above all else.” The supermarket remains open to discussions with the UWU, though have not yet secured on a deal. According to Woolworths, almost three-quarters of staff at the MSRDC indicated they “want to return to work and be paid in the lead-up to Christmas” following 11 days of ongoing industrial action. “We continue to seek to negotiate with the United Workers Union and have requested that they allow safe passage for our team wishing to return to work and for vehicles tomorrow at MSRDC,” the spokesman continued. “This will ensure we can operate the site safely and supply much needed essential food and grocery products to our Victorian customers and communities.”