DXC Technology workers begin rolling strikes over underpayment

Technology workers will begin 24 rolling strikes until May 12.

DXC Technology workers will begin further strikes against the company after failed pay increase negotiations.

The 200-odd workers will begin 24 hour rolling strikes from today, protesting the company’s handling of under payments and the attempts to use strike breakers.

CRN Australia understands that DXC Technology offered a 2.5 percent pay increase or 10 percent above the award for the first year. Then for year two and three a 3 percent raise.

There would be no back pay for the first year increase.

Due to this offer the negotiations have failed resulting in further industrial action, with those familiar with the matter calling the offer “inadequate”.

According to Professionals Australia and the Australian Services Union, technology workers will be continuing these strikes until May 12, or until an agreement is reached.

There will also be bans on standby, on-call duties and overtime throughout the weekend, in protected industrial action that may disrupt critical IT systems supporting the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

The AEC and the ATO told CRN Australia that their systems were not impacted due to the strikes.

Industrial action by DXC Technology workers began in March, where they were asking for a 4 percent increase.

The conversations between workers and DXC Technology have been ongoing for the past 15 months.

According to Professionals Australia, many employees have now gone five years without a pay rise, while the cost of living has increased by more than 24 per cent over the same period.

The dispute has reportedly “intensified” after DXC recently admitted employees had been underpaid since at least 2017.

The Unions understand DXC had been aware of the issue since at least 2023, but only moved to address it after the Unions indicated they were prepared to escalate the matter through the Fair Work Commission.

Both PA and the ASU accuse DXC of engaging contractors as strike breakers to undermine lawful, protected industrial action undertaken by their members.

Paul Inglis, director at Professionals Australia said in a statement, “DXC’s attempts to hide underpayments to their staff, which they’ve been aware of since 2023 is both disgraceful and unacceptable.

“But 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 noted that these are highly skilled technology professionals responsible for maintaining critical government and banking systems.

“Yet many have gone five years without a pay rise while the cost of living has skyrocketed,” he said.

“Workers have spent more than 14 months bargaining in good faith, attending fortnightly meetings and trying to secure a fair agreement.

“Instead of coming to the table with a fair and reasonable offer, DXC has put forward proposals that strip conditions, and potentially leave some employees tens of thousands of dollars worse off.”

Ella Waters, Australian Services Union assistant secretary for South Australia and Northern Territory explained in a statement that DXC workers are taking a stand because “they can no longer afford to go backwards.

“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,” she said.

This action is happening during several important days for government systems including the federal budget this Tuesday and the Farrer by-election.

CRN Australia has reached out to DXC Technologies for comment. This story will be updated as it unfolds.