WOOLWORTHS workers have returned to work after a week-long stand-off over job security.

Almost 600 Broadmeadows distribution centre workers walked off the job on Friday 29 October after a dispute over wage entitlements.

Woolworths originally offered workers a three per cent wage increase but the National Union of Workers said the offer would reduce penalty rates and breaks.

South Morang resident Lana Mihajlovic has worked for the company on a part-time basis since 2004.

Ms Mihajlovic said she and her husband had made a “tough decision” to walk off the job, with three children to support.

“But sometimes people need to do stuff for a better outcome and a bigger picture,” Ms Mihajlovic said.

“Especially all those single parents we have, they can't afford to work from 10 in the morning until 8 at night, with no additional penalties.”

A Woolworths spokesperson told media the Broadmeadows workers had been the highest paid distribution centre workers in the nation prior to the walk off.

But Ms Mihajlovic said the offer had been like “going backwards”.

“We are the most productive distribution centre in Australia,” she said.

“We work hard (and) we wanted respect from them (Woolworths).”

National Union of Workers organiser Belinda Jacobi said 88 per cent of workers voted in favour of a new offer on Thursday afternoon.

The Woolworths offer includes a wage increase, protected shift arrangements and loadings for afternoon and night-shift workers.

“Our union members have won their fight for fairness,” Ms Jacobi said.

“More importantly for workers and their families, we won guarantees and certainty around shift arrangements.”

Workers returned to the distribution centre on Friday.