Woolworths is paying "appropriate" and regularly reviewed national fuel levies to all its transport providers, the retailer insists. One of the
Woolworths is paying “appropriate” and regularly reviewed national fuel levies to all its transport providers, the retailer insists.
One of the country’s largest transport contractors has responded to what it calls an “unfounded campaign” against supermarket retailers by the Transport Workers Union (TWU).
“It is our expectation, and our transport providers’ responsibility, that these fuel levies are passed onto any drivers who are sub-contracted by our direct transport providers,” Woolworths says in a statement.
Transport costs have risen significantly due to the increased cost of fuel, the statement says, and the company “accepts that higher fuel prices are a fact of life”.
“Rising fuel prices are a worldwide phenomenon and virtually every family and every business in Australia is feeling the effect,” it says.
The company is investing heavily in more efficient technologies and trialling alternative fuels.
“Innovation and best practice leadership in transport is happening as a direct result of investments made by major businesses such as Woolworths,” the company says.
“Woolworths understands that there is some genuine pain and hardship across the transport industry.
“However, all sectors of the logistics industry must work together to ensure that we can meet the challenges ahead rather than protesting about an issue which can’t be controlled.”
Woolworths says it is also a founding member of the Australian Logistics Council’s (ALC) Retail Logistics Code of Conduct which aims to set best-practice safety standards for the whole retail supply chain.