Coronavirus: More than 240 Woolworths distribution workers walk off the job at Laverton

More than 240 Woolworths workers in Melbourne have stopped work after an employee reported positive to COVID-19.

Queues at Woolworths in Kew, Melbourne on the weekend. Picture: Nicole Cleary

More than 240 Woolworths workers at a Melbourne distribution centre supplying Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores have stopped work after an employee reported positive to COVID-19.

The United Workers Union is demanding all of the workers are tested for coronavirus while the Laverton site is shut down for 72 hours for a deep-clean.

“Workers will keep taking action like this until these big companies like Woolworths put their safety, and the safety of the community, ahead of profit,” the union’s logistics industries director, Matt Toner said.

“We have seen this a dozen times already. Each time the company tries to downplay the virus and keep operating there’s 50 or 60 COVID cases. The best plan Woolies can make is to go hard now and send all workers home with pay so they can be tested and do a proper deep clean.

“People in Victoria are facing some of the harshest restrictions yet. Woolworths needs to respect the sacrifice we are all making and treat this outbreak with the seriousness it deserves.”

A Woolworths Group spokesman said since learning of the positive case on Friday, the site has been cleaned and contact tracing undertaken, in line with Department of Health and Human Services recommendations.

“We’ve consulted the DHHS and will continue to follow its expert health advice,” the spokesman said.

“The DHHS hasn’t instructed us the site needs to close or directed team members to isolate.

“We don’t anticipate any material issues in our liquor supply to stores at this stage.”