Over 100 employees from two prominent Australian book retailers are set to stage a walkout, initiating a strike at one of the busiest times of the year.

Staff members from Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books, represented by the Retail and Fast Food Workers Union (RAFFWU), are gearing up for a five-day strike beginning tomorrow, lasting until Wednesday, December 24.

This industrial action will impact the operations of all Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books locations.

According to 9news.com.au, the retailers are planning to keep their doors open by deploying non-union staff and hiring new workers during the strike.

RAFFWU secretary Loukas Kakogiannis mentioned to 9news.com.au, “We are aware that the shareholders intend to undermine the strike, but over 100 workers will be participating in the walkout.”

RAFFWU members are bargaining for a new agreement that would boost wages and improve conditions.

They have been negotiating with the Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books for months in a bid to replace the expired, 13-year-old deal they’re currently on.

Under that agreement, many booksellers aren’t paid penalty rates on evenings and Saturdays and are stuck on casualised part-time work with no casual loading.

“We can’t keep going under this old agreement when we’re juggling multiple jobs just to survive and living with constant financial stress,” RAFFWU delegate Ally Bodnaruk said in a statement.

“Passion for books doesn’t pay the rent. We want to secure jobs, fair treatment and to be paid a living wage.”

Despite six bargaining meetings over three months, a new agreement has not been reached.

RAFFWU members have already instituted a ban on restocking shelves and receiving deliveries in response to the failed negotiations.

Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books reacted by issuing workers with unilateral wage cuts of 37.77 per cent for participating in the bans, per the RAFFWU.

“These workers aren’t asking for the world, they want job security, a living wage with penalty rates, and protections against unfair treatment,” Kakogiannis said.

“These are basic rights that all workers deserve.”

He called on Harry Hartog and Berkelouw Books to “stop being recalcitrant” and come to the table with a fair offer.

Harry Hartog operates 15 stores across the ACT, NSW, Queensland and South Australia.

Berkelouw Books operates out of fewer than 10 locations in NSW and Queensland.