Sometimes we have to take industrial action because our employer is refusing to reach an agreement with the Union. Employers are by law allowed to do this. Employees have no way of requiring the employer to reach a new agreement, and there is no right in Australia to have disputes arbitrated by an umpire. Industrial action and the prospect of it is the difference between collective bargaining and collective begging.

Should we feel industrial action is necessary, we first have to conduct a Protected Action Ballot (PAB).