Hundreds of Coles warehouse employees in Somerton, Melbourne went on strike on Monday over work conditions. The striking workers, who initially numbered 300, are protesting the unequal treatment compared to other Coles warehouse facilities from the firm that manages the warehouse.

The workers belong to the National Union of Workers. Those who joined the industrial action are expected to reach 600 by Tuesday. Toll Holdings manages Coles's warehouses and outsources the employees.

Tim Kennedy, state secretary of the union, said Coles warehouse shift workers sought same conditions such as pay for shift loading which other Coles warehouse workers that supply the supermarket giant receive.

The Melbourne facility is one of two Coles national distribution centres and one of the biggest warehousing sites in Australia.

Besides refusing to work and manning picket lines, the workers also blocked trucks that enter the warehouse. The employees will also block all delivery trucks that would leave the facility, which could cause shortage of goods in Coles shelves because the strike is indefinite.

Christopher Whitefield, spokesman of the Toll Group, said the firm needs to balance the needs of business to remain competitive in the supermarket industry. Toll refused to changes its position during negotiations, prompting the union workers to vote for an indefinite strike.

"Ultimately this is a Coles decision. They need to acknowledge their responsibility in creating a solution the unequal treatment of workers in their warehouses," ABC quoted Mr Kennedy.

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