Major update in Woolworths strike as supermarket shelves stripped bare

There’s been major development after thousands of Woolworths distribution centre workers went on strike, leaving supermarket shelves looking thin ahead of Christmas.

Woolworths is set to re-open a critical distribution centre in Melbourne to improve the stock levels for Victorian customers, as the ongoing industrial action has left supermarket shelves empty in the lead-up to Christmas.

Stock levels in Woolworths have started looking a little thin across parts of New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT as more than 1,500 United Workers Union (UWU) walked off the job for better pay and working conditions.

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, one in NSW and one partner site in Lineage, 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.

Supermarket shelves are becoming increasingly empty as the indefinite industrial action in four distribution centres takes its toll. Picture: Facebook

It’s looking very bare in some supermarkets. Picture: Facebook

“We know that there have been shortages on our shelves in some Woolworths stores and that this is really frustrating for our customers,” a spokesman for Woolworths 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 confirmed it would be reopening its Primary Connect Melbourne South Regional Distribution Centre (MSRDC) on Monday morning – the most significant site subjected to the industrial action.

This means stocks of essential food and groceries like toilet paper, nappies, and drinks will 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 (SDA), including 16 points which had been subject to negotiations, including better pay that is approximately 40 per cent above the Storage Services Award.

Customers have shared the empty shelves online. Picture: Facebook

In late November, more than 1,500 member of the UWU 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.

Woolworths said it’s open to entering negotiations with the union. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

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.”

Originally published as Major update in Woolworths strike as supermarket shelves stripped bare