Woolworths is asking the Fair Work Commission to rule that the UWU is not bargaining in good faith. Industrial law experts say that even if the FWC rules in the supermarket's favour, it's not clear that this would end the strike or picket lines disrupting grocery supplies. Fair Work is expected to make a determination on the dispute quickly.
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TVTranscript
00:00Woolworths has applied to the Fair Work Commission for a bargaining order that it hopes could
00:07move along picket lines outside its distribution hubs here in Victoria and in New South Wales.
00:14Its legal counsel has told the commission this morning that these picket lines are obstructive,
00:19that they are getting in the way of Woolworths and are a metaphorical gun to the company's
00:25head.
00:26It is unclear if the company will get an interim order to stop these picket lines.
00:32Around 1,500 workers have now been off the job for more than two weeks.
00:38These strikes have been throwing the supermarket supply chain into absolute chaos.
00:44Supermarkets especially here in Victoria, owned by Woolworths, have been emptied of
00:48everything from frozen food to nappies and toilet paper and the issue is actually bleeding
00:54into the supply chain of other companies including liquor store Dan Murphy's.
00:59The strikes have been going as the union representing the workers and Woolworths continue to negotiate
01:06intense negotiations that are ongoing today.
01:10The union has been arguing that these workers need more pay.
01:14It's also been raising concerns that the conditions inside the distribution hubs are cruel and
01:19unfair with workers put under intense deadlines.
01:23The company says that that's not correct, that it has efficient processes.
01:27The Fair Work Commission hearing will continue today as will those negotiations.