BILL Shorten is Workplace Relations Minister but yesterday he found himself apologising to a Carlton shop owner over his actions in her place of work.

Annie Huang, who owns Carlton North Foods in Lygon Street, took to the airwaves to describe how Mr Shorten took umbrage at her offer to microwave a pie.

''I just said … 'Sorry, the pies are sold out; only cold pies','' Ms Huang told 3AW. '''If you want, I could put it in the microwave'.''

Mr Shorten's response, she claims, was unsavoury and involved the F-word. He then marched out, she says - only to return to her shop and tell her she had lost his business.