Woolworths has engaged a Melbourne law firm to investigate warehouse workers involved in a recent strike at its Melbourne Liquor Distribution Centre (MLDC) in Laverton. The strike, called over the introduction of labour-hire at the warehouse, took the company by surprise and crippled its liquor operations for four days in August.

Two union delegates and one former delegate have now been told they must answer questions about their actions during the strike. They face disciplinary action, which might result in them being sacked.

One of the “independent” investigators brought in to interrogate the workers describes herself as an “experienced industrial advocate” who is “passionate about representing employers”. The investigators have also tried to ban the workers from telling anyone about the investigation.

National Union of Workers members in the shed say that the threats against individual strikers are an attack on the whole union and an attempt to intimidate the workforce. They have started a campaign to defend “the MLDC three”.

One of the strike’s original demands was that no workers face recriminations for taking industrial action to defend their jobs. Now, the MLDC workers are again demanding that Woolworths agree not to sack or discipline anyone under investigation.