Woolworths has lodged an application with Fair Work to stop striking workers from blocking access to its distribution centres in Victoria and NSW as the supermarket giant counts the cost of the workplace dispute.

The nation’s largest supermarket operator has applied for an urgent court order to keep unions from blocking access to distribution sites in Victoria and NSW.

Woolworths has filed an urgent application with the Fair Work Commission to stop union members from blocking access to its distribution centres, as it claims the industrial action has cost the business $50 million so far.

A standoff between grocery giant Woolworths and 1,500 striking workers has intensified just three weeks shy of Christmas Day. The supermarket chain has since filed an urgent application to prevent union members from blocking its warehouses.