Fair Work to hear Woolies workers case

Workers blockading a Woolworths distribution centre in Melbourne will have their case heard at the Fair Work Commission.

About 200 workers stopped trucks from entering or leaving the Laverton liquor distribution warehouse on Monday in a dispute over casual labour hire practices.

The National Union of Workers said staff were unhappy about Woolworths introducing casual labour hire and changes to work practices.

But Woolworths denied it was changing hiring practices.

"We are in the process of arranging our Christmas staffing arrangements in our distribution chain, a routine practice we undertake across all distribution centres," a spokeswoman said on Monday.

Woolworths said it expected the matter to be heard before the Fair Work Commission on Tuesday morning.