More than 240 Woolworths liquor warehouse workers have walked off the job in Melbourne's south-west amid safety fears after an employee tested positive to COVID-19 last week.
The workers at the Melbourne Liquor Distribution Centre (MLDC) undertook legal cease work action this morning after discussing safety standards, following the staff member's positive coronavirus diagnosis on Friday night. The Laverton site provides alcohol to Dan Murphy's and BWS stores across Victoria.
The United Workers Union (UWU) issued the supermarket giant with a list of demands from workers, urging for the site to shut for a 72-hour deep clean overseen by health representatives and for all workers – including new staff - to be tested for coronavirus.
READ MORE: Woolworths employee tests positive to COVID-19
"We have seen this a dozen times already - each time the company tries to downplay the virus and keep operating there's 50 or 60 COVID cases," UWU logistics industries director Matt Toner said.
"The best plan Woolies can make is to go hard now and send all workers home with pay so they can be tested and do a proper deep clean."
A Woolworths Group spokesperson confirmed to 9News they were made aware of the staff member's positive diagnosis on Friday and workers were informed later that evening. The employee last worked at the warehouse on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Panic buying concerns as Melbourne re-enters lockdown
The spokesperson said a terminal clean, which was in line with the Department of Health and Human Services' (DHHS) guidelines, was conducted overnight on Friday until Saturday morning. The site is also deep cleaned every Sunday.
"The opening of our Melbourne Liquor DC (MLDC) has been delayed this morning after the site's health and safety representatives issued a cease work notice," the spokesperson said.
"The safety of our team is our priority and we're working through the notice with the UWU and WorkSafe Victoria as a matter of urgency.
"Since we learnt of a positive COVID-19 case on Friday, we have conducted contact tracing and cleaned the site in line with Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommendations.
"We've consulted the DHHS and will continue to follow its expert health advice."
DHHS has not ordered for the site to close or for staff members to isolate. Liquor supply to stores will not be affected at this stage.
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