Protected industrial action is proceeding today at Alice Springs correctional facilities following a decision of the Fair Work Commission this morning to dismiss an application to stop the action.
The industrial action affects the Alice Springs Correctional Centre, the Alice Springs Women's Prison and the Alice Springs Reintegration Facility.
Corrections Commissioner Matthew Varley said the application was brought to the Fair Work Commission because of serious concerns about the safety and security impacts of a 12‑hour withdrawal of custodial officers.
"I respect the lawful right of the United Workers Union and its members to take protected industrial action," Commissioner Varley said.
"But I do not resile from my view that this strike action is unsafe."
"As Commissioner, I have a statutory responsibility to protect the safety of our staff, the welfare of prisoners, and the security and good order of our prisons. It was because of those responsibilities that I sought the Fair Work Commission's intervention."
Commissioner Varley said the consequence of the industrial action is that correctional facilities in Alice Springs are operating today under highly restricted and modified arrangements, including extended lockdowns.
"As a direct result of this action, I am required to place non‑custodial staff from the Department of Corrections inside a custodial environment, working alongside senior correctional managers, to maintain essential prison operations," he said.
"That is not a normal or desirable operating model. It is a measure of last resort."
Senior custodial leaders are on site and in command of operations. Non‑custodial staff who have volunteered to assist are working strictly under the direction of qualified custodial officers and are not being asked to perform frontline custodial duties.
"Extensive planning has been undertaken to manage risk as far as reasonably possible in the circumstances," Commissioner Varley said.
"However, I want to be clear: this is not how prisons are designed to operate, and it is not a situation any Corrections Commissioner would choose."
Commissioner Varley acknowledged the professionalism of staff managing today's operations.
"I want to recognise the commitment of our Alice Springs custodial officers and managers, and the staff from across Youth Justice, Community Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reintegration, and corporate and support areas who have stepped forward to assist under difficult conditions."
The Department of Corrections remains committed to continuing enterprise bargaining in good faith and working toward an outcome that supports staff and the long‑term strength, safety and stability of the Northern Territory corrections system.
