Workers at Woolworths distribution centres are on strike! For the past 2 weeks, workers have been picketing Woolies warehouses across the country to demand a pay increase and to stop a new performance management program, referred to by Woolworths as the “framework”, which is designed to monitor workers’ every move and increase the pace of work. In an already-dangerous industry where injuries are common, Woolworths is attempting to enforce 100% pick rates on workers. This is the same Woolworths that have seen their profits (and board member bonuses) soar over the past few years...
Workers at Woolworths distribution centres are on strike! For the past 2 weeks, workers have been picketing Woolies warehouses across the country to demand a pay increase and to stop a new performance management program, referred to by Woolworths as the “framework”, which is designed to monitor workers’ every move and increase the pace of work. In an already-dangerous industry where injuries are common, Woolworths is attempting to enforce 100% pick rates on workers. This is the same Woolworths that have seen their profits (and board member bonuses) soar over the past few years through price-gouging.
Emma spoke to two working-class legends about the strike: Ryan Stanton and Jerome Small.
Ryan Stanton is an electrician and ETU member based in Melbourne. He worked in warehousing for 5 years where he led a victorious strike at Polar Fresh back in 2016. He’s a socialist and contributor to Red Flag.
Jerome Small is an industrial organiser of Socialist Alternative. He worked in construction for around 17 years and has been a socialist and union activist since the 80s. He has been covering the Woolworths strike for Red Flag newspaper.
Picket addresses at the end of this article:
Support striking Woolworths warehouse workers this week (and next) (19 Nov)
https://redflag.org.au/article/support-striking-woolworths-warehouse-workers-this-week-and-next
Jerome's latest article on the strike:
https://redflag.org.au/article/hope-on-the-picket-line
Check Red Flag website for more coverage of the current strike:
https://redflag.org.au/
Read about the recent history of class struggle in the logistics industry:
The 2015 Melbourne Liquor Distribution Centre strike:
Inside a Melbourne warehouse strike:
https://redflag.org.au/article/inside-melbourne-warehouse-strike
The 2016 Polar Fresh strike:
'Thirty bucks, no trucks!' Warehouse workers strike back against Coles
https://redflag.org.au/node/5410
Coles still rattled by Polar Fresh strike, one year on
https://redflag.org.au/node/5933
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