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9news Many Woolworths shelves are empty and store stocks are running low as strikes force the closure of five distribution centres.
Distribution workers across the country are currently on a 10-day strike.
As a result, the supermarket giant is facing a pre-Christmas crisis with empty shelves and fridges in most stores in Victoria and hundreds of stores across Australia.
This left customers frustrated.
“We don’t want to miss out on the special treats at Christmas that we would normally do,” said one shopper.
“Where’s all the stock? It’s not there,” said another.
“Of course the next step is to go to Coles and buy what we couldn’t get,” said a third.
The United Workers union warned that the pain would continue unless a deal was reached.
“Everyone sees the impact this is having on stores, it’s real and it will continue and intensify, but Woolworths can fix this.” They can fix it tomorrow,” said UWU’s Andrew Giles.
The strike comes after six months of failed negotiations.
Workers are demanding wage increases above inflation. They want an immediate 25 percent increase and a 30 percent increase over the next two years.
They also want Woolworths to reduce its performance requirements.
“Until you finish and exit the site, you are tracked. The company knows exactly what you are doing,” Giles said.
“Essentially, Woolworths wants every single worker to work at 100 percent productivity 100 percent of the time,” Giles said.
Woolworths told 9News it is in talks with the union and plans to reopen its Dandenong distribution center in Victoria tomorrow.
The supermarket says its staff want to return to paid work before Christmas.
But the striking workers said they would continue the action as long as necessary.
“Every worker should have the right to support their family,” Giles said.
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