Victorians could face shortages of milk in the coming days as processing workers from dairy companies prepare for a 48-hour strike on Wednesday.
Woolworths on Tuesday said it was putting in contingency plans to minimise the impact of the strike for Victorian customers.
Saputo dairy truck drivers – supported by the Transport Workers Union – walked off the job early on Tuesday at Maffra and Leongatha, in eastern Victoria.
About 1,400 workers from Saputo, Fonterra, Peters and Lactalis were then also expected to stop work to protest for better pay and working conditions.
At least one Woolworths store in Victoria has placed signs on its own brand of milk to pre-empt potential shortages, where it is understood the most impact will be felt.
A spokesperson for Woolworths said it was in “close contact” with its Victorian milk supplier.
“We’re working on contingency plans to minimise any potential disruption to our customers,” they said.
Guardian Australia understands any potential impact will be limited to Victorian stores.
Woolworths’ own brand milk is supplied by Fonterra’s Victorian processing plant.
The United Workers Union – which represents the dairy workers – said the companies had refused to offer fair wages and improve working conditions amid a cost-of-living crisis.
On Monday, Fonterra’s supply chain director, Rob Howell, said the company had a “fair and reasonable offer” on the table for workers, with a minimum 10.5% salary increase over three years and more leave options.
Fonterra would ensure there were minimal disruptions from the industrial action, he said.
Saputo was committed to resolving outstanding items with union representatives “amicably and swiftly”, its operations director, Gerard Lourey, said.
The company said it would put contingency measures in place to minimise disruptions.
Lactalis said its priority was working with farmers, who were at the peak of the spring milk season.
A Peters spokesperson said the company was surprised by the “unnecessary union-led blanket action” and negotiations have continued in good faith.
