We certainly appear to have a horrid culture in NT Government department heads that denies rights of workers. A 12 hours strike is not a long term issue, if it was then why is there not disaster recovery plans in place and ready to action?
[2026] FWC 913 The Northern Territory Of Australia, The Office Of The Commissioner For Public Employment, Northern Territory Government And Department Of Corrections, Northern Territory Government v United Workers’ Union (20 March 2026)
[14] I was surprised by the lack of evidence supplied by the Applicant in relation to the intricate workings of the ASCC. Whilst I was grateful for the evidence of Commissioner Varley, by his own admission, he did not understand or have intricate knowledge of the operation of the ASCC. For reasons unbeknown to the Commission, the superintendent of the ASCC was not called as a witness. As a result, I have no option but to accept the unchallenged evidence of Mr Thomson in relation to the safe operation of the ASCC when it is in lockdown and the capacity of the reduced number of Prison Officers to undertake a rolling lockdown which will provide prisoners with the capacity to be freed from their cells for an appropriate period of time. [17] The aim of any PIA is to influence the other party to agree to the demands of the party taking the action. The UWU submitted that it is never the intention of the Union to endanger the life, personal safety or health, or the welfare of the population or a part of it. That is not to say that such an outcome is not possible during a period of PIA. If the Applicant had concerns that any industrial action posed such a risk, then they were obligated to raise this concern during the PABO hearing before Deputy President Hampton. As it stands, the commitment given by the UWU which was accepted by the Applicant before Deputy President Hampton, was that they would not intentionally embark on an industrial campaign to deliver that outcome. As a result, I am satisfied and find that the UWU has complied with the commitments that it gave Deputy President Hampton, and that the proposed 12-hour stoppage was a question that was approved by the UWU members during the PABO ballot. Therefore, the proposed industrial action is ‘protected’. Conclusion [18] For the reasons stated above, I am satisfied and find that today’s 12-hour stoppage being undertaken by the UWU at the ASCC is protected industrial action. [19] As a result, the application cannot succeed and is therefore dismissed. [20] I so Order.
We certainly appear to have a horrid culture in NT Government department heads that denies rights of workers. A 12 hours strike is not a long term issue, if it was then why is there not disaster recovery plans in place and ready to action?
Is this a real strike or is it a end result of the Clueless CLP not removing the Labour Apparatus from Government????
[2026] FWC 913 The Northern Territory Of Australia, The Office Of The Commissioner For Public Employment, Northern Territory Government And Department Of Corrections, Northern Territory Government v United Workers’ Union (20 March 2026)
https://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/decisionssigned/pdf/2026fwc913.pdf
[14] I was surprised by the lack of evidence supplied by the Applicant in relation to the
intricate workings of the ASCC. Whilst I was grateful for the evidence of Commissioner Varley,
by his own admission, he did not understand or have intricate knowledge of the operation of
the ASCC. For reasons unbeknown to the Commission, the superintendent of the ASCC was
not called as a witness. As a result, I have no option but to accept the unchallenged evidence of
Mr Thomson in relation to the safe operation of the ASCC when it is in lockdown and the
capacity of the reduced number of Prison Officers to undertake a rolling lockdown which will
provide prisoners with the capacity to be freed from their cells for an appropriate period of time.
[17] The aim of any PIA is to influence the other party to agree to the demands of the party
taking the action. The UWU submitted that it is never the intention of the Union to endanger
the life, personal safety or health, or the welfare of the population or a part of it. That is not to
say that such an outcome is not possible during a period of PIA. If the Applicant had concerns
that any industrial action posed such a risk, then they were obligated to raise this concern during
the PABO hearing before Deputy President Hampton. As it stands, the commitment given by
the UWU which was accepted by the Applicant before Deputy President Hampton, was that
they would not intentionally embark on an industrial campaign to deliver that outcome. As a
result, I am satisfied and find that the UWU has complied with the commitments that it gave
Deputy President Hampton, and that the proposed 12-hour stoppage was a question that was
approved by the UWU members during the PABO ballot. Therefore, the proposed industrial
action is ‘protected’.
Conclusion
[18] For the reasons stated above, I am satisfied and find that today’s 12-hour stoppage being
undertaken by the UWU at the ASCC is protected industrial action.
[19] As a result, the application cannot succeed and is therefore dismissed.
[20] I so Order.