00:00Woolworths has applied to the Fair Work Commission for a bargaining order that it hopes could
00:07move along picket lines outside its distribution hubs here in Victoria and in New South Wales.
00:14Its legal counsel has told the commission this morning that these picket lines are obstructive,
00:19that they are getting in the way of Woolworths and are a metaphorical gun to the company's
00:25head.
00:26It is unclear if the company will get an interim order to stop these picket lines.
00:32Around 1,500 workers have now been off the job for more than two weeks.
00:38These strikes have been throwing the supermarket supply chain into absolute chaos.
00:44Supermarkets especially here in Victoria, owned by Woolworths, have been emptied of
00:48everything from frozen food to nappies and toilet paper and the issue is actually bleeding
00:54into the supply chain of other companies including liquor store Dan Murphy's.
00:59The strikes have been going as the union representing the workers and Woolworths continue to negotiate
01:06intense negotiations that are ongoing today.
01:10The union has been arguing that these workers need more pay.
01:14It's also been raising concerns that the conditions inside the distribution hubs are cruel and
01:19unfair with workers put under intense deadlines.
01:23The company says that that's not correct, that it has efficient processes.
01:27The Fair Work Commission hearing will continue today as will those negotiations.
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