ACT stages biggest public sector strike in territory's history over pay
Hundreds of ACT workers voted down a 3% annual pay offer and walked off in the territory's largest co-ordinated public sector strike.
Hundreds of ACT government workers marched on the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday in the biggest co-ordinated strike in the territory's history. Corrections officers and court transport staff joined for the first time.
Workers rejected a government offer of 3% annual pay rises over three years, with 63% voting it down. Workers held signs saying below-inflation pay is a pay cut, as Canberra's inflation hit 4.7% in the past year.
Union officials called on the Barr government to return to the bargaining table with a better offer. The government says its budget is in deficit and cannot afford higher rises, but the union says workers face real cost-of-living pressure.
- 63 percent rejected offer
- Voted down
- 4.7 percent in Canberra
- Inflation rate
- 3 percent annual over 3 years
- Pay offer
- Rebecca Fawcett, CPSU national secretary
- Union leader
Why it mattersThe strike threatens public services and signals the government's budget constraints may force cuts or service delays unless it finds more to offer.
AustraliaACT public sector workers and residents relying on government services face ongoing uncertainty; a wider deal will affect pay and budgets across the territory.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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