The Fair Work Commission will today hear Woolworths’ application to end picketing at four major distribution centres as the supermarket giant faces ongoing industrial action from warehouse workers.
The strikes, now in their 16th day, have caused widespread stock shortages across Victoria, NSW, and the ACT.
Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The National Briefing – keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:
Customers are facing bare shelves at supermarkets and bottle shops, with the strikes costing Woolworths over $50 million.
The United Workers Union (UWU), representing the striking workers, is demanding a 25 per cent pay rise over three years and changes to Woolworths’ performance management framework.
Union secretary Tim Kennedy called on Woolworths to focus on negotiation rather than legal action.
“The best way to get workers back and shelves restocked in time for Christmas is for Woolworths to concentrate on reaching an agreement at the bargaining table. Anything else is a distraction,” he said.
Woolworths has described the union’s pay demands as “materially above inflation”.
According to the Australian Associated Press, the company declined to comment ahead of today’s hearing.
Subscribe to The Briefing, Australia’s fastest-growing news podcast on LiSTNR today. The Briefing serves up the latest news and deep dives on topics affecting you, all in under 20 minutes.