The ongoing battle between the TWU and Aldi continues as more transport workers protest supply chain safety at Aldi stores
Last week, the Transport Workers’ Union (TWU) says more than 100 Western Australian transport workers protested at Aldi Southlands, demanding the supermarket giant to sign up to six supply chain safety principles.
The protest called on Aldi to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of transport workers by also meeting with the TWU to develop a charter to make their supply chain safer, fairer and more sustainable.
Coles and Woolworths have signed charters with the TWU committing to make their supply chains safer and fairer. In contrast, the TWU says Aldi has refused to sign up to basic safety principles and failed in two Federal Court attempts to silence truck drivers on safety.
Aldi has previously refuted all allegations made by the TWU, saying it recognises its role as a key player in the transport industry and it takes proactive measures to ensure driver safety is constantly maintained.
“The TWU continues to make unsubstantiated and wildly inaccurate claims about the driving conditions and practices of our team and of our driver network,” Aldi says.
“Given the seriousness of these claims, we’ve repeatedly sought details from the TWU so a thorough investigation can be conducted. To date, no details have been provided. We’ve tried on numerous occasions to have productive conversations with the TWU, all of which have been refused by them.
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“Aldi already has a safety and corporate responsibility charter in place to build responsible and strong compliance practices.”
In response, TWU WA state secretary Tim Dawson called on Aldi to recognise the urgency of the matter and engage in meaningful dialogue with transport workers and representatives.
“By prioritising supply chain safety, Aldi can set an example for other companies and contribute to the betterment of the entire industry and road safety across Australia,” Dawson says.
“Wealthy retailers have a responsibility to ensure safe, fair working conditions for transport workers in their supply chains, but Aldi has repeatedly buried its head in the sand.
“Workers have continuously invited Aldi to meet and develop a charter on safe supply chains. This protest follows multiple actions around the country calling on the supermarket giant to do the right thing for transport workers and the wider community.
“Aldi’s refusal to be accountable for safety in its supply chain proves why we need federal parliament to pass reform to set fair, safe and sustainable standards in transport without delay.”
The TWU says the crisis in transport has seen 328 transport businesses become insolvent in the last financial year, including Australia’s largest cold chain operator, Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics, of which Aldi was a customer.
The TWU says that administrators say a key reason for Scott’s collapse was “uncommercial customer arrangements”.
The TWU’s supply chain principles that Aldi workers protested for include:
- Safety and fairness – accountability for safe, fair work throughout their supply chains
- Transparency – over transport contracts so no worker falls through the cracks
- Collective voice – ensuring transport workers can speak out on pay and safety
- Education and consultation – on issues that impact workers’ pay and safety
- Lifting industry standards – eliminating incentives and pressures to take risks
- Disaster preparedness – equipping workers to safely navigate natural disasters, pandemics and other supply chain disruptions