Image: RAFFWU Woolworths employees in Broken Hill, walking from work on Friday. Image: Retail and Fast Food Workers Union/ Facebook
Coles and Woolworths employees a part of Retail and Fast Food Workers Union have engaged in industrial action against the supermarket giants, requesting better work conditions and adequate pay.
On Saturday at 10am, RAFFWU union workers across the country stopped work for 2 hours. The national scale strike is a first for the union, with workers across NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and ACT taking part.
The action coincides with ongoing criticisms amongst both retailers, including alleged price gouging and increasing security measures to prevent theft.
RAFFWU are pushing for negotiations between the respective retailers and their workers, requesting pay rises which address the current cost-of-living crisis and for stronger job security.
Unable to afford what they’re are selling
Federal secretary for RAFFWU, Josh Cullinan, spoke to Nine News regarding the strike, noting that some employees are receiving “a few cents” above minimum wage.
“They just want a living wage to deal with the rising cost of living… They can’t even afford the groceries they’re selling,” said Cullinan.
Along with wages, Cullinan said many workers are requesting on-going and frequent work contracts, with many being hired on casual employment.
“They just want to be able to have more hours in their contract to rely on.”
“Mega companies making mega profits should be able to provide that,” Cullinan continued.
Furthermore, the concern for worker safety from violent incidents with customers has been a concern for the union.
Whilst new surveillance technology has been introduced into retailers to combat increasing violence against workers, Cullinan says the retailers need to provide more reliable measures.
“We also want to see each time a worker is assaulted or abused to be treated like a crime,” exaplined Cullinan.
“The level of abuse, threats intimidation and assaults is unprecedented and outrageous.
“The employers are not lifting a finger to stop it,” said Cullinan.
Coles implement bans against members
Following plans of industrial actions from the union, including Coles employees refusing to fold boxes or clean trolleys, Coles group warned staff they will not be paid if certain tasks are not completed.
“It is our legal right to do this,” said Coles in their memo.
Following the restrictions, RAFFWU said, “Coles has directed that it will stand down every worker who implements a ban and not pay them at all.”
“This includes a ban on cleaning up vomit or bodily fluids, cleaning the manager’s toilet or talking to customers about our action,” RAFFWU explained.
“Coles pays poverty wages then threatens to take even those meagre wages away from any worker who dares to stand up. We need the support of the entire community in the face of such attacks.”
Respective spokespeople from Woolworths and Coles told Nine News, that both groups are planning to continue to negotiate with workers.
