On the May Day public holiday, Darwin Correctional Officers will walk off the job at 7:00am in protest of the Government’s wage cut and under-resourcing of the sector.

For 12 hours on Monday 2 May, members will begin a protected strike and join their colleagues from other areas of the public and community sector taking part in the May Day march.

United Workers Union (UWU) members from corrections, and the firefighters have been bargaining in good faith with the Gunner Government since the middle of 2021, but the Government refuses to offer wages in line with cost-of-living increases, nor address chronic short staffing.

Correctional Officers and Firies will march with workers from Danila Dilba workers who have been in protected industrial action as well in an effort to secure better wages and conditions.

UWU Northern Territory Secretary Erina Early said, “pay freezes and wage offers well below inflation will see workers go backwards and I am afraid many of our skilled, essential services and emergency services workers will leave the Northern Territory.”

“We are already seeing a skills shortage in many of our essential services and the Government’s solution to address this is by offering a pay cut.

“Both the NT Fire Service and Corrections are in crisis due to lack of resources and staffing.

“I urge the Government to consider the long-term impacts of their four-year wage freeze. Now is not the time.”

ENDS

Workers and Ms Early will be available to take comments on Monday at the following locations:

What: Correctional Officers walk off

When: Monday 2 May at 7:00am

Where: Outside of Darwin Correctional Centre – Willard Road.

Who: Ms Early only

What: May Day Rally

When: Monday 2 May from 10:00am

Where: 38 Woods Street, Darwin

Who: Correctional Officers and Fire Fighters

Rally and comment contact: Erina Early, 0400 030 834

Media contact: 1300 898 633, [email protected]