The Northern Territory Department of Corrections has received a formal notice from the United Workers Union (UWU) hereof a 12‑hour work stoppage at correctional facilities in Alice Springs.
It comes after the Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment released an improved enterprise offer to Correctional Officers to replace the former agreement that expired in December 2025.
The works stoppage planned for Friday 20 March will force the Alice Springs prison into full lockdown and significantly disrupt essential correctional services.
Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley said the planned strike will have serious consequences for community safety, the justice system and vulnerable communities already dealing with the impacts of record‑breaking floods.
"A 12‑hour strike at a prison is not a symbolic action," Commissioner Varley said.
"It means full lockdown conditions from the night before through to Saturday which will see prisoners confined to their cells, all programs and movement ceased, and normal services shut down."
"Corrections is an essential service. When prison officers walk off the job, the entire system is forced into emergency mode."
Commissioner Varley said the timing of the planned strike, amid natural disaster in Katherine and across several Top End communities is unacceptable.
"Corrections should be fully focused on supporting the Territory's flood response, but instead we are being forced to divert senior operational resources to manage the consequences of industrial action," he said.
"Corrections is currently supporting evacuation centres in Darwin and was planning to deploy community support work parties to assist flood‑affected communities in Katherine with the clean‑up and recovery effort this weekend but that will now be disrupted."
The Commissioner said the revised enterprise agreement offer will go to a vote, with the ballot opening next Tuesday.
"That offer delivers a 3 per cent per annum pay rise over the four-year agreement, back pay, improved leave, enhanced wellness provisions, procedural fairness improvements and formal recognition of core training," he said.
"The UWU is seeking a pay rise of 6 per cent per year, which exceeds the salary increase of all other hardworking public servants in the Department of Corrections."
"Industrial action that shuts down a prison, locks prisoners in their cells for days, and diverts resources away from flood‑hit communities is not acting in the public interest."
Commissioner Varley said the Department will take all necessary steps to ensure prisons remain secure and community safety is upheld.
"Our priority is, and always will be, public safety. We will not compromise the security of correctional facilities or the safety of the Northern Territory community."
"I want to acknowledge the many Correctional Officers who continue to act professionally and responsibly, particularly at a time when everyday Territorians are relying on essential government services to step up."
