IT workers for major banks, government agencies stop work for 24 hours

DXC Technology workers who service networks, IT systems, and cyber security for ANZ, CommBank, Westpac, and several government agencies will walk off the job for 24 hours.

After more than 14 months of failed enterprise bargaining negotiations, DXC Technology staff across Australia will continue industrial action with a 24-hour work stop on Thursday (2 April).

Stoppages and work bans against their employer began earlier this week, on Tuesday (31 March).

Professionals Australia director Paul Inglis said: “Many DXC employees have not received a pay rise in five years. Over that time, the cost of living has increased by more than 24 per cent, meaning wages have effectively gone backwards.”

Last year, DXC Technology, which is headquartered in the US, reported global profits of US$389 million (AU$591 million).

Professionals Australia and its DXC Technology members seek a 4 per cent wage increase, backdated to 1 July 2025, and standby and overtime allowances.

DXC Technology services networks, IT systems and cyber security for Australian organisations, including the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), the Attorney-General’s Department, and major banks, including ANZ, CommBank, and Westpac.

For its report, CRN Australia sought commentary from impacted organisations.

“The ATO [has] monitoring in place to ensure we identify and respond to any potential degradation of services. ATO systems remain stable, secure and resilient,” the ATO told CRN.

The AEC said in a statement to the masthead: “It is not anticipated to impact the services provided to the AEC. We are in regular contact with DXC, and there are mature business continuity arrangements in place.”

Commonwealth Bank Australia told HR Leader that it does not anticipate disruption to its services as a result of planned industrial action by DXC employees in Australia.

The union said that members, including software engineers, systems engineers, software developers, infrastructure specialists, database administrators, technical consultants, information security analysts and operational support analysts, will be among the protesters.

Professionals Australia told HR Leader that, although it does not plan for protests to continue past this week, it is considering further industrial action.

Inglis said that DXC attempted to terminate legacy enterprise agreements and push employees back onto award minimum conditions.

“That would have left many workers tens of thousands of dollars worse off. Workers joined our union in large numbers, successfully challenged the move and forced the company back to the bargaining table,” Inglis said.

Bargaining meetings have taken place every fortnight since late 2024; however, workers said progress on key issues, including wage increases, standby rates, and workplace conditions, has been limited.

“But instead of putting a reasonable offer on the table, DXC has proposed agreements that remove conditions and provide little or no guaranteed wage increases,” Inglis said.

“Industrial action is never something these professionals take lightly. But after more than 14 months of negotiations, workers have been left with no choice but to take action to secure a fair agreement that recognises their skills and the critical work they do.”