Woolworths has reopened its four distribution centres after reaching a deal with striking workers.
More than 1500 workers went on strike for 17 days, costing Woolworths $140 million in total.
The United Worker Union (UWU) demanded fair wages and transparency into how new AI systems monitored worker performances.
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“It was about the right of workers to have input into how AI algorithmic systems can be used to set the speed of work to undertake surveillance at work, and ensure a system that is transparent, fair and respects fundamental humanness of people,” UWU national secretary Tim Kennedy said.
Woolworths defended the use of AI to manage productivity, claiming it is common practice in supply chains globally.
The Union and Woolworths have since reportedly made an agreement to increase wages by a cumulative 11 per cent over three years.
“With just over two weeks until Christmas, we are now moving products out of the DCs and onto supermarket shelves as quickly as possible for our customers,” said Amanda Bardwell, Woolworths Group CEO.
Woolworths said it was anticipating further losses into 2025 while rebuilding stock levels ahead of Christmas.
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