Sydney Water workers in Sydney take industrial action over payment disruptions — ABC News Australia

In Sydney, Australia, employees of the state water supply company Sydney Water have begun industrial action over problems with the new Dayforce payroll system. According to ABC News Australia, after the system was launched in July, some employees regularly had their payments delayed or did not receive the allowances and overtime pay due to them. Unions say that hundreds of workers have been underpaid by thousands of dollars.

Actions by three unions

Members of the Australian Services Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and Professionals Australia have taken industrial action. They are imposing bans on certain work and holding rotating four-hour work stoppages.

This week, members of the Australian Services Union, who include at least half of Sydney Water’s 3,000 employees, pledged not to pursue unpaid water bills, not to provide contractors with access to capital construction projects, and not to travel on motorways and toll roads as part of the industrial action.

Australian Services Union secretary Angus McFarland said that the Dayforce system is unable to account for the various allowances and additional payments on which a significant portion of the income of hundreds of employees depends. The union is demanding the restoration of the previous payroll system and emergency payments to workers affected by the errors.

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Company response

Sydney Water apologised to employees affected by the problems during the implementation of the new system. A company spokesperson said that dedicated teams are identifying and correcting payment discrepancies, resolving issues in the system and processes, and reducing the number of unresolved payroll inquiries.

The company is also conducting regular reconciliations and payments to correct underpayments, engaging additional payroll and advisory specialists, and implementing priority system changes. Workers who have found themselves in financial hardship because of payment delays are being offered trust-based payments and other forms of support.

The payroll problems have arisen amid negotiations between Sydney Water and unions over working conditions and pay, which have been ongoing since the beginning of the year.