Employees working for Coles and Woolworths, are set to stage a landmark strike this weekend, marking the first-ever national supermarkets strike in the country’s history. These workers, seeking improved pay and working conditions, will participate in a two-hour work stoppage scheduled for Saturday, starting at 10 am.
The strike will take place in stores across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and South Australia, and is expected to involve approximately 1,000 members of the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU).
This Tuesday evening, a Facebook post on the RAFFWU page revealed that nearly 100 Coles members have wholeheartedly supported the full implementation of all bans scheduled for this coming Saturday.
They are also gearing up for a potential Christmas superstrike at Coles. The actions taken by Coles against its employees today highlight the complete disregard they have for a workforce that has endured mistreatment, threats, and assaults in their stores, all while receiving inadequate wages.
While Woolworths employees are also participating, it seems that the union is taking a more assertive stance against Coles. This decision is influenced by reports suggesting that Coles may choose to stand down and withhold payment from any workers who engage in strike action.
RAFFWU’s federal secretary, Josh Cullinan, conveyed to Nine News that workers are currently earning just a fraction above the minimum wage.
He articulated, “Their primary aim is to secure a wage that allows them to manage the escalating costs of everyday living. It’s becoming increasingly challenging for them to cover the expenses, including the very groceries they help sell.”
The strike, spanning across stores in multiple states and territories, underscores the pressing need for fair treatment and just compensation for supermarket employees who have been at the forefront of ensuring essential supplies during challenging times.
It is a collective call for change that echoes not only within the aisles of these retail giants but also throughout the broader Australian workforce.
