Transport Workers Union members were protesting the standards that forced truck drivers to work for long hours, skip breaks and delay vehicle maintenance to meet ALDI's requirements.

The union released shocking images and video showing blocked safety doors and equipment, faulty electrics, flooding, poor lighting and rotting food. It said truck drivers had provided testimony of pressure to cut safety corners and to drive fatigued.

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TWU national secretary Michael Kaine said ALDI had "run away from negotiations" when the union asked to discuss implementing safety systems within its transport supply chain.

The retail supermarket chain has pulled TWU before federal court to dispute the claims, a move which has been seen by the union as an attempt to silence it.

Mr Kaine said drivers contracted to ALDI, who transported freight from farmers, suppliers and manufacturers, were most affected by the retail giant's "safety negligence".

"The time has come for ALDI to step up," Mr Kaine said. "The community needs a responsible corporate citizen to stand up and admit there are problems in the supply chain.

"It needs to sit down and talk to workers and the union about what can be put in place systemically to make important changes and save people's lives on the roads."

Mr Kaine said ALDI admitted in the federal court that it did not know which companies carted the freight into its distribution centres.

"If you don't know which companies [work for you] then how are you are supposed to take responsibility for the safety of those drivers," he said.

"This is a company that has its head in the sand and taken aggressive federal court action instead of sitting down and trying to make a difference with safety."

Truck driver Pat Armstrong, who does not work for ALDI, said the pressure put on drivers was "wrong" and the company's "cost-cutting" measure were unsustainable.

"I talk to ALDI drivers on the road," he said.

"They are skipping their brakes by unloading and if they run late then they have to make the time."

He said drivers worried about travelling down Mt Ousley if their vehicles were not maintained.

ALDI disputes TWU's claims and said it "contacted the TWU on more than ten occasions".

"We requested details of their claims to ensure we can investigate the alleged safety concerns immediately," Corporate Logistics managing director Damien Scheidel said.

"Not once have these details been forthcoming.

"It is our view that the TWU is more interested in leveraging our good brand for their own influence and political gain than addressing transport safety issues."

Mr Scheidel disputed the union's claims its indirect workers in the transport supply chain were underpaid with operators on average earning more than 30 per cent above the award.

ALDI drivers were required to keep work diaries which were were audited, had a modern fleet with good maintenance practices and generous employment conditions.

"The last external audit of all ALDI's fleet operations raised not a single safety concern," Mr Scheidel said.

Mr Kaine said several of ALDI's claims were "misrepresentations".

South Coast Labor Council's Arthur Rorris said his organisation and members would "stand by any worker in this town whose safety is brought into question by employers such as ALDI".

"ALDI seemingly don't care about the lives and safety of their workers," he said.