The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is grappling with a series of one-hour stop-work actions.

Employee representatives, including the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), are taking action to improve workplace conditions.

The CPSU has encouraged its members to participate in one-hour strikes this week in an effort to secure better working conditions for ACCC and Australian Energy Regulator (AER) employees. These actions also impact the Australian Energy Market Regulator.

Despite the CPSU endorsing the Australian Public Service Commission's 11.2 per cent offer (plus starting bonus), agency-specific unions, such as the Australian Services Union Tax Officers’ Branch, are still dissatisfied and are considering taking their concerns to the workplace mediator.

Various unions are advocating for occupation-specific recognition in wage negotiations, particularly as many standardised public sector positions are becoming automated, and specialised roles are becoming more challenging to fill, demanding higher salaries.

The ACCC has acknowledged the protected industrial action and is striving for a swift resolution. 

“The agency continues to bargain in good faith and is aiming to reach an agreement soon,” an ACCC spokesperson said.

This renewed industrial action follows the CPSU's acceptance of a headline pay offer from the Australian Public Sector, highlighting ongoing disputes over various conditions. 

The CPSU has already invoked standard working hours provisions under the ACCC's enterprise agreement, signalling its determination to press for improved conditions.