WOOLWORTHS warehouse workers in Barnawartha North have claimed a huge victory.

Five hours of negotiations yesterday and a week of strike action ended in the supermarket giant increasing its offer from 74 cents per hour to $1.06 per hour over each year of the two-year agreement. 

The offer was unanimously accepted at a mass meeting with union members yesterday afternoon who were “extremely happy they have been heard”.

National Union of Workers industrial officer Dario Mujkic said it was a huge win.

“It means the gap between regional and city workers will not continue to grow,” he said.

“This is a great achievement considering that on Thursday the wage offer would have seen Barnawartha North workers go from $203 behind to $225 per week behind.”

The 350 workers will celebrate at the distribution centre from 11am today and return to work on Monday.

The union also won its other major claims.

Saturday penalties will increase from 125 per cent to 140 per cent.

Breaks will increase from 10 minutes to 15 minutes for shifts worked seven hours or less.

Mr Mujkic said forklift driving allowances were now also in the Barnawartha North agreement.

“It means workers will get additional penalties for the work they do because it takes skill,” he said.

“It was not only a fight for the workers, but also for those in industries where workers get paid less for doing the same work.”