Housing ACT staff have gone on strike, demanding higher wages and measures to address a surge in occupational violence. The industrial action, which took place on Wednesday, saw workers walk off the job for several hours, disrupting services across the territory.
Pay dispute and safety concerns
The strike, organized by the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), stems from a long-running dispute over pay and conditions. Workers are seeking a wage increase that keeps pace with inflation, as well as better protection against rising incidents of violence in the workplace.
CPSU spokesperson Melissa Donnelly said that staff have faced increasing aggression from clients, with some incidents resulting in physical injuries. "Our members are on the front line, dealing with vulnerable people, but they are not being supported with adequate safety measures or fair compensation," she said.
Impact on services
The strike affected housing services, including tenant inquiries, maintenance requests, and emergency housing allocations. The ACT government acknowledged the disruption but assured that essential services continued to operate.
A government spokesperson said that negotiations with the union are ongoing and that they are committed to reaching a fair agreement. "We value our housing staff and are working to address their concerns while balancing budget constraints," the spokesperson said.
Occupational violence on the rise
Data from the ACT government shows a 20% increase in reported incidents of occupational violence in the housing sector over the past year. Workers have called for more training, security upgrades, and better support systems.
The strike comes amid broader industrial action across the public service, with teachers and nurses also raising concerns about workload and safety. The CPSU has warned of further strikes if their demands are not met.
Housing ACT staff are expected to return to work on Thursday, but the union has indicated that further action may be taken if no progress is made in negotiations.
