A union has warned that supplies to Coles could be disrupted in the lead-up to Christmas, with about 200 Linfox workers at a western suburbs warehouse poised to strike over pay and conditions.
About 200 National Union of Workers (NUW) members at the Coles Myer Laverton distribution centre have voted to take protected industrial action.
In October, union delegates Michael Manolitsis, of Maribyrnong, and Ken Price, of Hillside, were stood down after speaking to the media about workplace conditions during a protest at the site. They were later reinstated.
NUW organiser Matt Toner said industrial action could range from four-hour stoppages to an indefinite strike.
He said unless a deal could be reached with Linfox, retailers could be feeling the effects into the new year.
“The supply chain might be affected in the coming weeks before Christmas,” Mr Toner said. “If there’s no goods coming out of the warehouse, Coles will be struggling to put goods on the shelf.”
He said the pickers and packers were fighting for the same pay and conditions as other workers around the country.
“Pay is a big issue. The rate of pay there is around $5-$6 an hour less than what other Coles’ warehouses are being paid around the country, and they’re doing the exact same work. We know that they can afford to pay these workers what other workers get paid, so this is really just an issue of equality for us.”
Mr Toner said the workers received one paid 15-minute break while counterparts elsewhere were entitled to two breaks with pay.
Linfox group manager Gary Max said: “We are not making comment at this time.”
