The Dandenong South distribution centre accounted for more than 40 per cent of the four sites’ total output, and management had repeatedly called workers there to put them “under pressure”, the worker said.

The United Workers Union has held a 24-hour picket line outside the Dandenong South centre since its closure, demanding an increase to workers’ pay, and for Woolworths to review a framework that they claim creates “unsafe systems of work”.

The framework included a “pick rate” for workers, which dictated how many items they needed to pick within a specific time frame, United Workers Union official Andy Giles said.

If workers failed to meet the pick rate day in, day out, they were disciplined, he said.

“If you’re getting called in by your supervisors, and they’re telling you that you’re not doing enough, that pressure is real,” Giles said.

“People are going to take shortcuts, they’re going to cut corners, they’re going to work speeds that are not safe.

“They’ve got heavy machinery, there’s equipment, there are forklifts, there are all sorts of things. You cannot mix machines and people and put that pressure [on them].

“We’ve heard the rumours, but the site remains shut. It’s been shut since the 21st, and nobody has come. There’s been no bus that’s come.”

Loading

Woolworths said the United Workers Union was asking for an immediate pay rise of more than 25 per cent and increases of 15 per cent in years two and three, “materially above inflation”.

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees’ Association endorsed an offer from Woolworths Group last week.

Giles said the pay arrangements differentiated between the four Woolworths distribution centres, and the union wanted those paid less than $38 an hour to be bumped up to at least that rate.

A partner distribution centre has also been on strike since November 21.

While Victorians are experiencing the brunt of stock shortages on shelves as the industrial action continues, stores in NSW and the ACT are also affected.

Woolworths has said resuming operations at the centre would bolster supplies of food and essentials including nappies, toilet paper and drinks in Victorian supermarkets.

The retailer met union members at 9am on Monday, but there was no resolution. The parties are expected to meet again on Monday afternoon.

A Woolworths spokesperson apologised for the inconvenience of “frustrating” store shortages, and said negotiations with the union were continuing.

“We’ve been working tirelessly to reopen our Melbourne South Regional Distribution Centre so we can improve the amount of essential grocery items on our shelves for our Victorian customers,” the Woolworths spokesperson said.

“We continue to seek to negotiate with the United Workers Union and have requested that they allow safe passage for our team wishing to return to work and for vehicles today at [the centre].

“This will ensure we can operate the site safely and supply much-needed essential food and grocery products to our Victorian customers and communities.”

Activist and Victorian Socialists federal Senate candidate Jordan van den Lamb, known as purplepingers online, issued a call-out to followers on social media on Sunday, urging them to attend Monday’s action in Dandenong South.

Loading

Party member Ryan Stanton said activists, students and trade union members were among those who turned out with the party to support Monday’s protest.

“Woolworths is one of the main drivers behind the cost-of-living crisis,” Stanton said.

“They’ve been price gouging ... but what a lot of people don’t know is that they’re also doing their best to make working lives harder for the workers who actually pick the stock that goes to the stores.”

Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter.