A group of Woolworths supermarket workers have started a strike, threatening Christmas shopping customers with a shortage of goods.
It is reported that more than 1500 employees of four Woolworths stores have started an indefinite strike since yesterday, based on the issue of wages and conditions.
The strike will affect three distribution centers in Victoria and one in New South Wales and will severely impact supermarket supplies in the run-up to Christmas.
The United Labor Union says a new service contract would require all workers to be paid at least $38 an hour in the first year and increase wages by the same percentage in subsequent years.
Labor union national secretary Tim Kennedy says workers today are struggling to make ends meet due to the rising cost of living.
Doubts have been raised that the strike may have a significant impact on essential commodities such as milk, butter, cereals and toilet cleaners.
