A rare wave of industrial action by hundreds of highly skilled technology professionals is set to disrupt Australia’s financial sector and key federal agencies this week.
Approximately 200 staff at DXC Technology—a critical service provider for the Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA), Westpac (ASX:WBC), and ANZ (ASX:ANZ)—will commence a series of staggered walkouts starting March 31, escalating to a full 24-hour strike on April 2.
The dispute, led by the union Professionals Australia, follows a gruelling 14-month negotiation.
CEO Paul Inglis stated that many workers, including cybersecurity analysts and software developers, have not seen a pay rise in five years.
"These professionals maintain the systems the economy relies on," Inglis said, noting that the cost-of-living crisis has effectively resulted in a "massive pay cut" for staff.
Beyond the big three banks, the action will hit the Australian Taxation Office, the Australian Electoral Commission, and the Attorney-General’s Department.
Expected disruptions include delayed IT support, stalled system upgrades, and a refusal to attend physical workplaces for 72 hours. Workers are also implementing indefinite bans on overtime and standby duties.
The union is campaigning for a backdated 4% annual wage increase and improved allowances.
While DXC maintains it is "bargaining in good faith," the union claims the company previously attempted to move staff onto minimum award conditions that would have left some workers thousands of dollars worse off.