Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment

Bulletin 11 - Second notice of protected industrial action - issued 20 March 2025

The United Workers Union (UWU) have provided the second notice of protected industrial action (PIA). A copy of the notice can be found here: notice of protected industrial action  PDF (222.6 KB).

The UWU's notice provides the intention of its members to participate in PIA at all Correctional Facilities commencing on Monday 23 March 2026, in the form of:

  1. An indefinite ban on the performance of work without a union hat being worn.
  2. Writing or attaching non-permanent/removable messages representing the concerns of Northern Territory Correctional Services (NTCS) staff regarding the Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) negotiations and process on employer vehicle/windows.
  3. An indefinite ban on compliance with employer redirections of staff from their rostered positions to other positions.

UWU members are reminded of the UWU commitment 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.”

Employees should note it is unlawful for Correctional Officers who are not members of UWU to participate in protected industrial action.

Unprotected industrial action

Non UWU members who participate in the UWU industrial action will be taking unprotected industrial action.

Employees not participating in protected industrial action

To assist the Department of Corrections to manage its operations safely, employees (members and non-members of the UWU) who are not participating in the protected industrial action may be required to perform duties in areas being impacted by the action and may also be required to perform overtime.

Members of the UWU have a right to take protected industrial action, they also have a right to not participate. No action must be taken against an employee exercising their right in either of these situations. If you have any concerns these must be immediately reported to your doc.dcadultoperations@nt.gov.au.

Chief Correctional Officers

Employees performing duties of Chief Correctional Officers (CCOs) and above, either as their nominal position or on temporary promotion, are covered by the Northern Territory Public Sector 2025-2029 Enterprise Agreement and are not eligible to participate in the protected industrial action.

As required, CCOs and above may be re-tasked to perform alternate duties during this period. I wish to thank you for your cooperation in ensuring the safety of the staff, prisoners and the public.

Important information for employees and UWU members considering taking protected industrial action

I remind employees who are considering taking protected industrial action to be aware of the following:

  • Partaking in protected industrial action is voluntary. Members eligible to take action are not required to participate.
  • Only employees who are members of UWU are eligible to participate in protected industrial action.
  • Only actions that UWU notify me of may be taken as protected industrial action. Taking other action that is not notified will be unprotected.
  • Deductions from salary will be required from UWU members who engage in work stoppages for the total duration of stoppage.
  • Non-members who participate in any industrial action will be considered to be taking unprotected industrial action and, in accordance with the Act, I am required to deduct minimum of 4 hours salary for an unprotected industrial action.

Please also note that during a period of industrial action employees remain subject to the code of conduct with regard to appropriate workplace behaviour. This means no bullying, no harassing, no aggressive behaviours between management and employees and between employees themselves.

Should I be notified of any further protected industrial action, additional bulletins may be issued to inform employees of salary deductions and actions that I may be required to take as the employer, dependent on the type of action.

More Information about the bargaining process

More updates in relation to the bargaining process are posted to the OCPE website. Further information on bargaining and the Act can be obtained at www.fwc.gov.au or you can contact the Fair Work Commission line on 1300 799 675.

Nicole Hurwood
Commissioner for Public Employment
20 March 2026