Serco strike looms
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Staff at immigration detention centres across Australia could soon go on strike.
United Workers Union (UWU) staff have voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action amid an escalating dispute over redundancy entitlements following the federal government's transition to a new security contractor.
The conflict centres on Serco, the British multinational that has operated Australia's six detention centres, losing its contract to US-based Secure Journeys late last year.
The transition has left approximately 2,000 Serco employees in limbo, with concerns over redundancy payouts as they are encouraged to resign from Serco to secure roles with the new contractor.
“Serco's representation to its employees that they will only be able to commence employment with Secure Journeys in 2025 if they resign from Serco is false and/or misleading,” said United Workers Union (UWU) national secretary Tim Kennedy.
The UWU is demanding “urgent corrective action” and has warned that strikes will commence unless negotiations progress.
A protected action ballot (PDF) has revealed significant support for industrial action, with 96 per cent of UWU members across nine centres, including Yongah Hill and Perth in Western Australia, voting to stop work.
The strike will also affect facilities in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, and Brisbane.
Serco has responded by preparing contingency plans, including offering additional payments for extra shifts to managerial staff.
The company claims it has made efforts to facilitate employee transitions, offering lump-sum payments equivalent to leave entitlements, which Secure Journeys rejected.
Serco maintains it will comply with the Fair Work Act regarding employee entitlements.
The Department of Home Affairs has declined to comment on the situation.
In the UK, Serco staff at Royal Navy bases are also planning strikes over job security, while in the US, Serco recently expanded operations by acquiring Northrop Grumman’s training services unit for $327 million.
