Woolworths’ striking distribution centres are set to resume normal operations following the endorsement of a new enterprise agreement offer by the United Workers Union (UWU).
The UWU represents 1500 Woolworths employees across Victoria and NSW and said the company had agreed not to punish workers for their speed of work.
The endorsement has also received backing from the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association of the Melbourne South Regional Distribution Centre (MSRDC) will see four distribution centres across Victoria and NSW reopen.
The Melbourne Liquor Distribution Centre, Wodonga Regional Distribution Centre and Erskine Park Distribution Centre are expected to resume normal operations alongside the MSRDC.
All four sites have been subject to indefinite strike action since November 21st, which has led to bare shelves in Woolworths supermarkets across Victoria, NSW and the ACT.
“We are pleased to have endorsed offers for new terms and conditions and a competitive wage for our team at our four distribution centres that have been subject to indefinite industrial action over recent weeks,” Woolworths Group CEO Amanda Bardwell says.
“With just over two weeks to go until Christmas we are now focused on getting products out of the distribution centres and restocking the empty shelves customers have experienced in the past fortnight.
“’Turning back on’ such a large part of our supply chain will mean it will take some time for our stores to look their best and we’ll be ramping up as much as we can to get products to the stores where they’re needed most.”
On Friday last week Woolworths had a court victory against the UWU with the Fair Work Commission finding the union had been negotiating unfairly with the supermarket giant, with picket lines outside its distribution hubs deemed to be “unlawful”.
The supermarket giant has previously estimated the industrial action at the Victorian centres had led to a loss of at least $50 million in sales.
Bardwell also praised the work of those in the distribution centres that remained unimpeded by the industrial action.
“We would also like to thank all of the teams across Woolworths Group who have worked tirelessly to minimise the disruption as much as possible and take care of our customers,” she continues.
“In particular we thank our teams in unaffected distribution centres who have helped maintain levels of supply while the four sites were closed.
“We also thank our store teams, who are at the heart of our business and have done their very best for our customers in very difficult circumstances.”
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