On Monday 24 August, more than 275 Officeworks distribution centre workers commenced a 24 hour work stoppage. The protected industrial action affects three warehouses which replenish the stock in Officeworks stores and fulfill online customer orders across the country: North Rocks and Yennora NSW, and Laverton Victoria.
Workers are striking for secure jobs and redundancy provisions amid concerns about the future outsourcing of their work on inferior wages and conditions.
Workers are also calling for community members to support the action by not shopping at Officeworks, either online or in person, on Monday 24 August.
Striking workers under lockdown in Victoria will hold an online picket line via Facebook Live to share their stories of why they are taking strike action. Live stream begins at 12:15 pm AEST, open to the public at facebook.com/unitedworkersoz.
Direct link: https://www.facebook.com/events/330186878176722
To date, Officeworks has offered sub-inflation wage increases with cuts to overtime penalties and no protection for future job security. This comes at a time when Officeworks is recording record pandemic profits; increased sales totals of 27 per cent in the past five months.
As frontline essential workers, Officeworks distribution centre workers have continued to work throughout the pandemic even as the company recorded three positive Covid-19 cases in the distribution centres. Workers are asking Officeworks to acknowledge their hard work and dedication with a reasonable wage offer and job security assurances.
Filming and interview opportunity
Address: Officeworks North Rocks site, 15-17 Loyalty Road North Rocks NSW 2151
Date: Monday 24 August
Times: 12pm – 5pm
Quotes attributable to Matt Toner, Director of Logistics, United Workers Union
“It is absolutely unacceptable in the midst of this pandemic for massive corporations to offer negligible pay increases to their essential workers, and refuse to protect their job security by ensuring that their wages and conditions will not be undercut.”
“The Managing Director for Wesfarmers, the parent company of Officeworks, thinks it’s ok to increase his salary by 7.8% in one year. It’s time that workers who are actually essential get the big pay increases in line with the contributions they make.”
“While many are struggling, business is booming for Officeworks, which has increased its profits by 41.5 per cent between 2015 to 2019 to reach $167 million. This has increased again during the pandemic and could not have been possible without the dedication of their workers. Since the company shifted to focus on online sales, the warehouse and logistics workers have been working harder than ever. We are seeking a wage increase and job security assurances that reflect the commitment workers have shown to Officeworks and the contributions they have made over the years.”