Tuesday 3 December 2024: A new Enterprise Agreement (EA) covering over 300 team members at Woolworths Group’s Heathwood Chilled and Fresh Distribution Centre (HCFDC) has been agreed by the team after receiving a majority ‘yes’ vote this afternoon.

The HCFDC supplies frozen and chilled products to all of Woolworths’ stores across Queensland and Northern New South Wales.  It will continue to provide additional contingency across the eastern seaboard as industrial action takes place at three DCs in Victoria and one in NSW. 

The offer was endorsed by the Shop, Distributive & Allied Employees’ Association and its members. 

The new agreement will provide the team at HCFDC with the certainty of guaranteed wage increases over the life of the three year agreement, as well as other benefits. It is above inflation and 40 per cent above the underlying Award. 

Woolworths Group will now apply to the Fair Work Commission for approval of EA.

Comment from a Woolworths Group spokesperson:

“We’re pleased that our team has voted in favour of the new agreement which will ensure they receive an improved wage deal in time for Christmas.

“The site is an important part of us supporting the needs of our customers across Queensland and Northern New South Wales and we thank our team at the site for their continued hard-work, particularly during the busy festive season.

“There are approximately 200,000 team members across Woolworths Group, and we recognise the value of the work they all do. At the same time, we are focused on ensuring a sustainable business for team members, customers, suppliers, and communities in which Woolworths Group operates.”

ENDS

For background noting for media:

HSCFC has not been taking part in indefinite industrial action currently being undertaken in 4 DCs (3 in VIC and 1 NSW), but did stop work for 24 hours on Friday last week.