Woolworths strike to continue as supermarket shelves stripped bare

Woolworths customers across Victoria are in for more pain at the supermarket as strike action continues at a major distribution centre.

Woolworths customers across Victoria will continue to face bare shelves following ongoing strike action at some of its key distribution centres.

Woolworths had planned to reopen its primary connect Melbourne south regional distribution centre on Monday – the most significant site subjected to the industrial action – but was 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.

The United Workers Union is taking the action over failed negotiations that led to more than 1500 workers walking 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.

Shelves have started to appear quite empty in Victoria, South Australia and NSW. Picture: Facebook

Woolworths said there was no reason for the ongoing industrial action to stop other workers.

While one union had endorsed a deal with Woolworths, they were still at the negotiating table with the UWU.

“There was no need for Monday’s disruption by the UWU,” a spokesperson said.

“The majority of our team at the Melbourne South Regional Distribution Centre want to return to work and be paid again.

“As long as they continue to block access to our site, our customers will continue to face shortages on shelves in Victoria.

“We call on the union to do the right thing and let us re-open this site.”

Woolworths stock levels have started looking a thin across parts of NSW, Victoria and the ACT as a result of the strikes.

The industrial action has been ongoing for 11 days impacting four of the supermarket’s primary connect distribution centres – three in Victoria and one in NSW – and a Lineage partner site, 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 ongoing inconvenience of grocery shortages as a result of industrial action, and would like to thank our customers for their understanding and for treating our store teams with respect.”

The Dandenong South distribution centre was meant to open at 6am; however, it remains blocked with a picket line of workers. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

Members of the United Workers Union are striking for better working conditions and pay. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

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.

Woolworths says it’s open to entering negotiations with the union. Picture: NewsWire/ David Crosling

“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.”