Bulletin 10 - Application made to the Fair Work Commission to stop industrial action - Alice Springs - issued 19 March 2026
On 11 March 2026, the United Workers Union (UWU) advised me that its members were going to take 'protected industrial action' (PIA) in the form of a 12 hour work stoppage on 20 March 2026 from 8am to 8pm at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre, Alice Springs Women's Prison and any other gazetted prisons in Alice Springs (the Alice Springs prison precinct).
In notifying of the action, the UWU confirmed its commitment, given to the Fair Work Commission in its application to be able to undertake protected industrial action, that:
'It is not the intention of the United Workers Union or its members to engage in industrial action which would (or would threaten to) endanger the life, personal safety or health, or the welfare of the population or a part of it. This includes conduct directed at individual employees, and any damage to Northern Territory Public Sector property.'
I have taken steps to attend to reach agreement with UWU on the safe staffing levels required to be working during the protected industrial action, to ensure the personal safety or health, or the welfare of the workforce, prisoner population or a part of it.
These discussions have not been productive. The UWU's commitment to ensure only 8 Correctional Officers on duty during the protected industrial action presents unacceptable risk to the Territory. Consequently, I have today, reluctantly but I believe necessarily, lodged a request with the Fair Work Commission under section 418 of the Fair Work Act for it to stop the industrial action tomorrow (20 March 2026).
Why have has the Application been made
The application has been made because it is considered that the action taken tomorrow will threaten to endanger the life, the personal safety or health, or the welfare, of the population or of part of it. The UWU has not provided agreement to ensure the prison has the minimum staffing levels required for a lock down situation that are outlined in the Operating Model they signed with the Department of Corrections in 2020.
This presents unacceptable risk to the safety of the prison and the workers who will be on site during the Industrial Action. This is inconsistent with the commitment provided by UWU in the approved Industrial Action application.
What happens if the Fair Work Commission intervenes
We have applied for orders by the Fair Work Commission to stop the proposed industrial action.
If the Fair Work Commission issues those orders and the work stoppage goes ahead, it will be considered unlawful, 'unprotected industrial action', leaving the UWU and employees who engage in the action open to legal sanctions and disciplinary action.
What about using other staff
The Department of Corrections has contingency plans which include the use of some other staff. However, Correctional Officers are specifically trained, and it is important that there is sufficient coverage in our centre at all times to ensure the good order of the prison and the health and safety of all people within the prison precinct.
More Information about the bargaining process
Updates on the bargaining process are posted to the OCPE website. Further information on bargaining and the Act can be obtained at Fair Work Commission website or you can contact the Fair Work Commission line on 1300 799 675.
Nicole Hurwood
Commissioner for Public Employment
19 March 2026