The SDA, the union for workers in retail, fast food and warehousing has today lodged a dispute in the Fair Work Commission against Woolworths over its plans to restructure its store management structure, a move that may lead to redundancies across its stores nation-wide.

SDA National Secretary Gerard Dwyer said the union has had no input into the major supermarkets plans to restructure employment roles and has lodged a dispute on several issues important to Woolworths workers.

“We’re extremely disappointed that Woolworths has undertaken a restructure of this magnitude and in such a timeframe. The SDA has had no input into the design or implementation of this far reaching restructure process.”

“As a result, the SDA has today lodged a dispute against Woolworths with the Fair Work Commission challenging whether the company is undertaking genuine redundancies and whether the timeframe provided to staff is reasonable.”

“It is certainly the unions view that the timeframe being provided to Woolworths workers is too short to allow them to properly consider all options in such confronting circumstances and we’ll be raising this issue before the Commission.”

Mr Dwyer said the union was already working closely with Woolworths workers through this process and would continue to represent their interests and to provide support.

“Woolworths workers, many of whom have loyally served the company for 10 or 20 years are understandably very upset by this announcement.”

“We want them to know that the SDA stands with them during this extremely difficult time and will be fighting hard to protect their interests.”

“Any Woolworths worker concerned about these changes should speak to their workplace delegate or contact their local SDA Branch.”

Media contact: Darren Rodrigo 0414 783 405