The Transport Workers’ Union is coordinating protests outside Aldi stores and distribution facilities across Australia today.
The demonstrations coincide with the expiry of hundreds of enterprise agreements across the road transport industry.
The TWU said it has identified a number of safety incidents connected to Aldi operations and contractors, including workers being injured in scissor lift incidents at Aldi’s Balgowlah store, trucks operating in poor mechanical condition, forklift strikes and vehicle collisions at Aldi distribution centres.
These issues reportedly demonstrate the need for Aldi to adopt an independently developed transport supply chain safety charter.
Coles and Woolworths have entered into supply chain safety agreements with the TWU. To date, Aldi has not agreed to follow suit.
TWU National Secretary, Michael Kaine, said transport workers were calling on major clients to play a greater role in improving safety standards across the industry.
Discussions with Aldi over a proposed supply chain safety charter have taken place over several years but were ultimately unsuccessful according to TWU.
Protests are scheduled to take place today in New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia at Aldi stores and distribution facilities.
