Coles workers protest as automation closes distribution centres

More than 350 Coles workers chanted “Coles stole Christmas” as they marched through Sydney today, with one major gripe against the supermarket giant.

More than 350 Coles workers rallied in Sydney on Saturday protesting losing their jobs to robots.

The workers, from the Smeaton Grange distribution centre in Sydney’s outer southwest, descended on Belmore Park opposite Central Station from 2pm on Saturday.

They chanted “Coles stole Christmas” as they marched down George Street to the Coles at Broadway Shopping Centre.

Protesters carrying placards are seen marching during an anti-Coles rally in Sydney on Saturday. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

Coles aims to have the Smeaton Grange facility fully automated in the next three years, workers have been told.

Smeaton Grange worker Matt, who asked that his last name not be used, told NCA Newswire he was protesting because he wanted “the opportunity to leave the company with some dignity”.

The facility has been closed for more than three weeks as a response to union threats of strikes, leaving workers without pay for 23 days.

Matt, who has four children under the age of 10 and has worked at Coles for seven years, said the closure had been “extremely difficult” in the lead-up to Christmas.

“The uncertainty is scary, it‘s a scary time,” he said.

“I want to get back to work; I want to negotiate a fair deal.”

Coles workers marched from Belmore Park to Broadway during Saturday’s union action. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

He said automation was “just the reality”.

“We know what’s coming, we just want the opportunity to leave the business fairly and equitably.”

The union fears certain clauses in the workers’ contracts could allow Coles to get out of paying sought-after redundancy packages.

A Coles spokeswoman said the company had offered the Smeaton Grange workers a “very generous” 3.5 per cent wage increase up until closure and up to 80 weeks’ redundancy pay.

“However the United Workers Union have rejected our offer and are demanding a 5.5 per cent annual wage increase, which is almost eight times the current rate of inflation, and up to two years’ redundancy,” she said.

Workers from the Smeaton Grange Coles distribution centre took to the streets on Saturday to protest redundancy conditions. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

“Coles has been transparent with the UWU throughout months of negotiations that if they took industrial action at Smeaton Grange in the lead-up to Christmas we would close the site temporarily and make other supply arrangements to ensure that we could replenish our NSW stores over the busy Christmas and New Year period.”

She said Coles had not been disrupted by the closure of the facility.

United Workers Union logistics director Matt Toner said the workers weren’t looking for a pay rise.

“What Coles needs to address are the workers’ concerns … they need clear assurances they will be dealt with fairly and they won’t be sacked arbitrarily.”

Two years ago, three Coles distribution centres including at Smeaton Grange were told they would close in five years as part of a move to automation.