While the trucking industry continues to attack major retailers arguing they are refusing to pay fuel levies to drivers, Woolworths has said the industry is wrongfully placing the blame on the company.
Following a union-led protest staged at Rosehill, Woolworth has issued a statement saying the Transport Workers Union (TWU)’s claim against the company was “unfounded”.
“Contrary to TWU spin, Woolworths pay appropriate national fuel levies to all its transport providers and these are reviewed on a regular basis,” it said.
“Woolworths understands that there is genuine hardship across the transport industry and it is our expectation, and our transport providers’ responsibility, that these fuel levies are passed onto any drivers who are subcontracted by our direct transport providers.”
TWU has previously stated the major retailers like Coles and Woolworths increase the costs of goods using the rising fuel costs as an excuse, yet the levy is not passed down the transport chain to the drivers.
Woolworths added it recently wrote to its major transport providers requesting their assurance that they treat their subcontractors fairly regarding the issue.
It said while the company’s transport costs have soared, its extensive management strategy has enabled it to keep the food price inflation level at 2.9 per cent, below the national figure of around four per cent.
“As a company that depends on transport, Woolworths accepts that higher fuel prices are a fact of life and is investing heavily in more efficient technologies and trialling alternative fuels.
“Innovation and best practice leadership in transport are the direct result of investments made by major businesses such as Woolworths.”
The company said the industry needs to stop playing the blame game over fuel prices, and start to collaborate.
“All sectors of the logistics industry must work together to ensure that we can meet the challenges ahead rather than unfairly placing blame on selected participants,” it said.