Renewed calls have been made to respect supermarket workers following numerous reports of people taking their coronavirus-related emotion out on staff.
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Customers have been directing anger at staff and some supermarkets have had to hire security.
Some staff have refused to serve particularly obnoxious and rude customers behaving in a confrontational and abusive manner and making unreasonable demands.
In some cases, aggressive people have caused other customers to leave stores out of fear.
The problem has been affecting workers at Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and independent supermarkets, amid rising tension in aisles and at the checkout.
Barbara Nebart, Newcastle branch secretary of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association [SDA], said "please respect our retail workers".
"They are not supplying the goods. They are just trying to serve you to the best of their ability," Ms Nebart said.
"If companies have put limits on buying items, please respect those limits."
Supermarket staff were "starting to get real anxiety issues about stocking shelves because of the abuse".
Those who don't respect limits on goods were putting staff in a difficult position.
She said supermarket companies were doing everything they could to maintain supply.
"I think people just need to calm down. Everyone should try and be a little kinder to each other," she said.
"I must say, so far companies are trying to do the right thing. Woolworths have started twice hourly announcements to please respect staff."
Ms Nebart said workers on registers should wear gloves if they choose, adding that the companies should provide the gloves.
"One of the dirtiest things in the community is money," she said.
Supermarkets have been placing hand sanitiser at registers.
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association had run its "No One Deserves A Serve campaign".
Meanwhile, the Newcastle branch cancelled its general delegates meeting for Tuesday, which 130 people were due to attend at McDonald Jones Stadium.
"We've cancelled on the basis that we need to be looking after each other and everyone else."
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