Warehouse workers at Woolworths and Lineage have saved Christmas with shelves now being restocked and brave strikers achieving a win that sets an important precedent for workers having a voice in how AI systems monitor and regulate their work.
Industrial action at Woolworths and Lineage distribution centres across Victoria and NSW has ended 17 days after workers began to strike with UWU members accepting a revised offer from Woolworths that reflects fairness and safety.
The new enterprise agreement won by workers at Woolworths removes the link between measuring the speed of their work and automatic disciplinary action if they fall behind – a system that essentially treated workers like robots and prioritised speed over safety. Along with agreeing to not discipline employees for failing to attain 100% work speed at all times, the new agreement also increases wages.
The UWU said the framework, which required warehouse staff to achieve a 100% performance target when picking up items at speed, is "dangerous, inhumane and unsafe".
Workers at Lineage, processing about 90% Woolworths stock, have also secured a major win with 50 new permanent jobs, improved workplace conditions and a well-earned wage increase.
"This dispute was important because it was about the right of workers to have input into how AI algorithmic systems can be used to set the speed of work to undertake surveillance at work, and ensure a system that is transparent, fair and respects fundamental humanness of people," UWU national secretary Tim Kennedy said.
The support of fellow unionist played a vital part in this victory, with strike fund contributions enabling workers to go one day longer, one day stronger – proof of the power of solidarity over corporate greed.
Read more: LATEST IN WOOLWORTH STRIKE TALKS – United Workers Union