‘Treating workers like robots’: Woolworths blamed for empty supermarket shelves as warehouse strikes continue

Stores in New South Wales, Victoria and the ACT affected as industrial action by up to 1,500 employees stretches into second week

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Woolworths bears responsibility for the empty shelves seen in supermarkets across parts of Australia by attempting to treat workers like robots", the head of the Australian Council of Trade Unions has said, as a strike of warehouse workers extends into a second week.

Up to 1,500 employees began rolling 24-hour strikes on 21 November in warehouses in New South Wales and Victoria, seeking improved wages and safety. One of the major issues is a new framework system employed at the warehouse that tracks workers down to the minute, and logs performance each shift using an algorithm.