Woolworths distribution centres, including Barnawartha, could strike before Christmas, in “the biggest industrial action in one company ever”.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
On Monday night, the Fair Work Commission approved a National Union of Workers application for industrial action, sparking a three to four-week process of negotiations and a worker’s ballot.
Union representative Dario Mujkic said the 400 workers at Woolworth’s Barnawartha North distribution site, about 370 of whom are union members, were deeply concerned about the centre’s future.
“One of the three Victorian distribution centres, Broadmeadows, is closing in 18 months to be replaced by a heavily automated system,” he said.
“The current 700 workers will go to 200 or 300.
“Our members in Barnawartha see what is happening to their fellow members.
“They understand the same thing could happen in Barnawartha effectively anytime.
“We have no control over the future but we want to make sure members are not being left behind.”
Mr Mujkic said the union was keen to deal with the issue this year, meaning strike action would occur between late November and the end of December, if negotiations were unsuccessful.
Potential strikes would cause disruption in Victoria with the warehouses at Broadmeadows, Laverton and Wodonga key to its supply chain.
Mr Mujkic said the Fair Work Commission application was “hotly contested” by Woolworths.
He said pay and job security negotiations had broken down with the company who the union viewed as not taking worker’s claims seriously.
“We want wages increased by $2 an hour, which we see as a fair share of company profits,” Mr Mujkic said.
“Secondly we’re pushing for strong protection for members in the case their workplace closes, automates or outsourcing.”
Mr Mujkic said the union wanted workers to be redeployed in the business if their positions were lost and they wished to continue with the company.
Fair Work’s approval opens the doors for a pre-Christmas strike at three Victorian and one NSW centre.
“If action goes ahead at the four sites it will be the biggest action by our union for decades, probably the biggest action in one company ever taken,” he said.
“It’s a big deal and we take that responsibility seriously.”
A Woolworths spokeswoman would not comment on any potential supply disruptions or the Fair Work Commission’s verdict but said their priority was customers and workers.
“We will continue to work with our team members and their chosen representatives to get the right outcome at each of our sites. Our number one priority will remain our team members and the service to our customers,” she said.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
Digital journalists with The Border Mail.
