Industrial disputes & news - 28 May 2025

CDC & Dyson; Snowy 2.0; NSW Ambulance; BMS; SA public sector health workers; BAE Systems; QLD nurses & midwives; Qube; Brimbank City Council; I-MED; Allied Pinnacle; Avalon Airport; XXXX & Downer

TWU VIC - CDC & Dyson

Over 800 bus drivers are striking today (28/5). TWU members at CDC and Dyson bus companies will participate in a joint 24 hour stoppage as part of their campaign to demand action on safety, decent wages and respect at work. According to the TWU the action will cause disruptions to a third of all bus routes in Victoria.

AWU NSW - Snowy 2.0

It is understood workers at Snowy 2.0 will strike for 24 hours again today (28/5), following a similar strike last week (21/5). The AWU is also reportedly considering legal action after striking workers were essentially locked down during the strike, unable to leave the project or even use crib rooms. Workers are fighting for pay parity with tunnelling crews in metro Melbourne, as well as improved allowances and conditions.

CFMEU VIC - BMS

The BMS crane crew at Golden Plains Wind Farm commenced industrial action on Thursday (22/5). The CFMEU has been attempting to negotiate a national EBA for workers on wind farms, but BMS has refused to negotiate in good faith. Workers are fighting for decent wages; a living away from home allowance; roster flexibility; and improved allowances, leave and conditions. Importantly, workers are also seeking appropriate inclement weather provisions to ensure safety on site.

UWU SA- Public sector health workers

Public sector health care workers at Flinders Medical Centre walked off the job for 30 minutes last Wednesday (21/5). The stoppage is part of a statewide campaign for fair wages, secure jobs, action on workload, and safety. Workers across the state have been participating in industrial action and work bans since February. Workers are asking supporters to sign a petition.

AMWU/AWU/CEPU SA - BAE Systems

Last Thursday (22/5), workers from BAE Systems at the Osborne Naval Shipyard walked off the job and rallied at BAE headquarters in Adelaide. Workers at BAE are paid 20% less than others in the shipbuilding industry. They have been participating in industrial action since September last year in pursuit of a 30% pay increase over 3 years. BAE has refused to budget from their offer of 12% over 3 years.

APANSW - NSW Ambulance

Australian Paramedics Association NSW members commenced industrial action on May 6 in relation to NSW Ambulance and NSW Health’s pilot program, the Mental Health Clinician Responder Team (MHCRT). Under the industrial action, APANSW members refused to take part in any training, logistics, or vehicle movements connected to the rollout of the MHCRT. APANSW says the MHCRT pilot “redirects a small and highly specialised group of paramedics away from critical rescue and high-risk response roles to staff an untested model.” On 12 May, the NSW IRC ordered that the industrial action must cease following an application made by NSW Ambulance.

CFMEU QLD - Qube

To punish workers for taking industrial action, Qube has announced a restructure of its mobile crane division. The company has also advised workers there will be redundancies, and stood down a CFMEU delegate. This is shameful behaviour (even for Qube): pushing a sham restructure process to discipline workers and get rid of the union. Qube workers are fighting for market rates and a fair deal.

ASU Vic - Brimbank City Council

The ASU is encouraging workers at Brimbank City Council to vote no to management’s proposed EBA. A majority of workers at the council have signed the ASU’s petition to join with 9 other councils (Darebin, Greater Dandenong, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Merri-bek, Port Phillip and Yarra) and pursue multi-employer bargaining (MEB). To try to avoid MEB, Brimbank City Council has put forward an agreement with no negotiations. If it is voted up, Brimbank City Council will not be able to join in on MEB. The ASU is putting considerable resources into the MEB campaign. 8 councils (Brimbank, Darebin, Hume, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Merri-bek, Port Phillip and Yarra) are fighting the union’s application for MEB.

VAHPA - I-MED

Last Thursday (22/5) workers at I-MED radiology clinics in Werribee, Hoppers Crossing and Wyndham held a 2 hour stoppage. Workers at 68 I-MED clinics across Victoria are in negotiations for an agreement with a decent wage increased and improved conditions. I-MED is crying poor, despite being on track to record $1.35 billion in revenue for FY ending 30 June 2025. VAHPA has said there will be more stoppages at radiology clinics across Victoria, and will escalate if I-MED doesn’t make a decent offer.

UWU - Allied Pinnacle

No confirmation from official sources, but I have heard that Allied Pinnacle workers will be back on strike indefinitely from 6am this morning (28/5). If this is correct, I am sure visits to 23-29 Pinnacle Road, Altona North would be welcomed.

QNMU - Public sector nurses & midwives

96.5% of QNMU of participants voted YES in a protected industrial action ballot which closed on Monday. However, the QNMU advised that despite the letter from the Queensland Health which firmly stated there would be no revised offer, the government sent through a revised offer on Friday (23/5). The new offer contains some improvements, but no change to the proposed wage increase. The QNMU has told members that they are meeting with Queensland Health this week to seek clarification on some items in the revised offer, as well as to push for “further improvements”.

UWU Vic - Avalon Airport

Security guards at Avalon Airport have had significant wins in the negotiation of their first EBA. Workers will get pay rises equivalent to 16% in the first year of the agreement, and in July casual workers will start converting to full time, permanent jobs. Workers at Avalon took industrial action in March as part of their campaign for this EBA.

ETU QLD/UWU - XXXX & ETU QLD - Downer

There are two other dispute resolutions to report on this week - XXXX and Downer. For the full scoop from local sources- check out the May Edition of Hard Hat. Self-described as for construction workers, by construction workers the Brisbane based newsletter/substack is a rank and file initiative and worth a read whether you know your way around a construction site or not.

That’s all I’ve got this week. Thanks to the comrades who assisted with this week’s report. And please, if you’ve got any information (or hot takes!) please get in touch! You can email me, or send a message on socials. The best part of this project is hearing from workers on the shopfloor.

In solidarity, Sarah