Canberra Bureau of Meteorology staff will walk off the job for one-hour stop-work meetings tomorrow, joining their colleagues across the country.
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The snap strike by Bureau staff is the latest in a string of industrial disputes engulfing the federal public sector.
As The Canberra Times reported today, Customs officers are planning to hold 24-hour strikes at international airports from midnight tonight, in an attempt to cause major disruptions to international travel, and CHOGM preparations.
Canberra people heading overseas face considerable delays at Sydney and Melbourne airports, while delegations arriving at Perth for CHOGM could be held up.
Customs staff have been offered 9 per cent over three years but Department of Immigration and Citizenship staff have won 11per cent.
Meanwhile the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) says the new wage offer put to Bureau of Meterology staff is below inflation, and will leave them worse off than other APS staff.
It says the most recent offer, of four per cent, three per cent and two per cent over three years, will keep pay well below inflation and keep Bureau staff underpaid compared with other APS staff.
Delegate Monica Long said staff on an APS 3 to an EL2 level were being paid between 2 and 5 per cent less than their colleagues
"With CPI running at 3.6 per cent, management's offer will leave us worse off after three years. Accepting a pay rise that does not keep up with inflation devalues our work and that's something we're not prepared to accept," she said.
"Bureau staff provide essential services to Australians yet our pay doesn't recognise our dedication, professionalism and skills."
An overwhelming 83 per cent of staff rejected the latest pay and conditions offer, which included changes to sick and carers' leave, and flexible working provisions, in a ballot.
Bureau staff will rally in Melbourne outside head office at 11am tomorrow.
