Supermarket giant Woolworths insists its shelves are not beginning to run bare as warehouse workers begin a second week of strike action.

Up to 1500 employees across several Woolworths distribution centres in Victoria and NSW walked off the job indefinitely on November 21.

They are fighting for a pay increase, along with an end to a performance framework that the United Workers Union said is pushing staff to sacrifice safety standards in pursuit of faster work.

Woolworths insisted all stores were still receiving regular stock deliveries, but some were getting their goods less frequently than previously scheduled.

There were no product limits, except for on eggs, which have been rationed for some time following bird flu outbreaks in NSW and Victoria.

The union said the strike was already having a huge effect, with “gaping holes” on shelves normally stocked with household and frozen goods.

You ok @woolworths ? pic.twitter.com/Zr1L65Vb6X

— techAU (@techAU) November 27, 2024

Food and drink products such as rice, pasta, cereals, soft drinks, frozen goods, meat and bread were the most affected, UWU director Dario Mujkic told the Seven Network.

There are reports of “temporary supply interruption” signs being slapped on shelves with missing products.

“We’re currently experiencing supply issues as a result of industrial action at our distribution centres. We understand this is frustrating. We are working hard to resolve this and restock as quickly as possible. Thanks for your patience,” the signs read.

Mujic said “The empty shelves will get worse while these guys are not at work”.

“They’re resolved to stay out here as long as it takes,” he said of the distribution workers.

“Woolworths is a pretty big company that’s used to getting its own way, so sometimes it takes a bit of pressure to move them.”

UWU national secretary Tim Kennedy said the company had been warned of the effects of workers at five warehouses walking off the job.

“Woolworths are squeezing shoppers at the register and workers on pay and conditions, while making ever-increasing profits … This is contributing to growing wealth inequality in Australia,” he said.

WOOLIES WAREHOUSE STRIKE IS ON!
Union members at Erskine Park Distribution Centre (EPDC) are out the gate, fighting for:
– safer warehouses
– fair pay
– same rights at every site!
Sign their petition! https://t.co/euN0e46KgZ #WooliesStrike @woolworths #ausunions pic.twitter.com/cWOtp6n1W7

— United Workers Union (@UnitedWorkersOz) November 20, 2024

The union had demanded equal pay and conditions across all Woolworths’ distribution centres, asking for all workers to be paid $38 an hour in the first year of a new workplace deal.

Workers also say a framework that ranks each task they do out of 100 puts undue pressure on them and has a negative effect on wellbeing.

“Workers do not want to feel pressured to cut corners and work unsafely for fear of losing their job, Woolworths must prioritise the safety and well-being of workers above all else,” Kennedy said.

“Woolworths workers are striking for a cost-of-living wage increase and to be paid the same rate of pay for doing the same work under a national agreement.”

The grocer conceded some Victorian, NSW and ACT stores had “limited stock flow” but added extensive contingency plans were minimising the effect on customers.

A Woolworths spokeswoman said the company was working hard to sort out the pay dispute.

“We value our team and are deeply committed to reaching an agreement as quickly as possible so they can receive the benefit of their new pay rates before Christmas,” she said.

“We have already put forward several offers with competitive pay that is above industry standards, above local market rates, above inflation, and well above the award.”

-with AAP