Saturday 7 December 2024 11.30am

Comment from a Woolworths Group spokesperson:

Despite the Fair Work Commission issuing orders to stop obstructive picketing outside our Melbourne South Regional Distribution Centre (MSRDC) in Dandenong Victoria, our team members attempting to return to work this morning have again been met by picketers who physically blocked their entry to the site.

We call on these picketers to stand down and allow safe entry to the site for our Dandenong team members who want to get back to work after more than two weeks of strikes.

We continue to engage with the Victorian Police to seek their advice and assistance.

The actions of these picketers are continuing to have an impact on Victorians being able to access essential grocery items such as nappies, drinks and toilet paper from our supermarkets across the state. 

We’re sorry that this disruption has inconvenienced so many of our customers and we are doing everything we can to bring it to an end.

It’s worth noting that our Melbourne Fresh Distribution Centre has continued to operate throughout this time and all our Victorian stores have an abundance of fresh produce, meat, bread and milk available. Other products through our contingency supply from non impacted distribution centres are also available, but vary from store to store.

We continue to be hopeful there will be an endorsed deal with the United Workers Union (UWU) across the sites impacted by Industrial Action.

ENDS

Read Woolworths Group’s recent media statements on the industrial action affecting four of its distribution centres at the Woolworths Group Newsroom.

Watch a TikTok from Woolworths' Spotswood store in Victoria showcasing the fresh produce and meat available across Victorian stores.