Industrial action comes amid escalating dispute over their enterprise agreement, threatening IT systems at major companies and government
Employees at DXC Technology have launched rolling strikes until 12 May, threatening to disrupt critical IT systems across Australia for major companies and government amid an escalating enterprise bargaining dispute.
Tech workers, represented by Professionals Australia and the Australian Services Union (ASU), will also commence bans on standby, on-call duties, and overtime throughout the weekend.
"Between 8 and 12 May, our members will be undertaking work stoppages to send a clear message: highly skilled tech workers who support our national infrastructure deserve a wage that reflects the value of their work," said Ella Waters, ASU assistant secretary for South Australia and Northern Territory.
The work stoppages come after more than 15 months of negotiations between DXC and its workers over their enterprise agreement.
According to the unions, workers are increasingly frustrated after years without meaningful wage increases, despite DXC reporting global profits of US$389 million last year.
"With the cost of living soaring by over 24%, these professionals have effectively endured a massive real pay cut," Waters said.
"We are fighting for guaranteed wage increases to ensure our members aren't being punished for their dedication while the company's bottom line thrives."
Tensions between both parties further escalated after DXC recently admitted that it underpaid employees since at least 2017.
The unions claimed that DXC had been aware of the issue since 2023, but only addressed it after they were threatened with escalation through the Fair Work Commission.
"DXC's attempts to hide underpayments to their staff, which they've been aware of since 2023 is both disgraceful and unacceptable," said Paul Inglis, director of Professionals Australia.
Attempted use of 'strike breakers'
Meanwhile, DXC is also being accused of engaging with contractors as strike breakers to undermine the industrial action of employees.
"What is even more disturbing is the company's attempt to bring in strike breakers to undermine its own employees as they exercise their lawful right to take industrial action over those very issues," Inglis said.
"We condemn DXC Technology for its handling of these matters and insist it return to the bargaining table with a fair wage offer and don't strip conditions."
The unions said the strike action may disrupt critical IT systems supporting the Australian Electoral Commission ahead of the Farrer by-election on 9 May.
It is also expected to disrupt services at the Australian Taxation Office ahead of Tuesday's Federal Budget.
HRD Australia has reached out to DXC Technology for comments on the industrial action.
This is not the first industrial action at DXC this year. Its tech professionals also carried out work stoppages and work bans in late March, which escalated to a 24-hour stop-work on 1 April amid stalled pay negotiations.
