Four million people in Sydney and parts of regional NSW could experience maintenance delays as electricity suppliers Ausgrid plan to walk off the job.
About 1,000 Ausgrid Electrical Engineering Union (ETU) workers are planning strike action on August 1 after pay negotiations broke down.
Members have voted to back work stoppages, overtime bans, switching bans and lockout bans as part of planned action at NSW's third-largest energy company.
Any emergency work will not be affected by this action.
The pole and wire company serves about two million customers across most of Sydney's east, north and inner city, as well as the Central Coast and Hunter Valley.
ETU NSW/ACT secretary Allen Hicks said the strike was expected to disrupt more than four million people.
“Millions of Australians who rely on the East Coast's largest electricity distributor should be concerned to learn how Ausgrid treats its employees who keep the power on and the lights on day in and day out,” Mr Hicks said.
The action comes after Ausgrid rejected the ETU's proposed pay rise for workers of 8 per cent for the next three years plus super.
Ausgrid has confirmed it has dealt with a 7 per cent pay rise in the first year and then 2.7 per cent in the second and third years unless CPI is higher.
The company also offered a 0.5% super increase for each year.
“Ausgrid's offensive pay offer has left workers with no choice but to take industrial action, including a stoppage of work,” Hicks said.
“Ausgrid could immediately prevent any maintenance delays or inconvenience to the community with a serious offer to help workers keep up with the rising cost of living.”
Celina Cross, Ausgrid's group chief executive of people and culture, said the company was disappointed the ETU had rejected its pay offer, which it believed was fair and reasonable.
“We respect the rights of the ETU but are disappointed that this action has been taken,” Ms Cross said.
“Our offer is fair and reasonable for our people and affordable for the communities we serve.
“It recognizes cost of living pressures and rewards our people for their hard work.
“In addition, it ensures that Ausgrid remains a great place to work where safety is our priority.”
Ausgrid said it would hold weekly discussions in good faith with all parties to reach an agreement.
However, Mr Hicks said the cost of living crisis had a significant impact on its members.
“Ausgrid workers' real wages have bounced back and the cost of living crisis has eroded the value of their latest pay rise,” he said.
“Their experience is not recognized or rewarded despite their vital role in providing a safe and reliable electricity network for millions of NSW homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and infrastructure.
“ETU members have yet to receive an offer to keep up with the rising cost of living.
“They have no choice but to continue to exercise their legal right to withdraw their work until they receive an offer that does not send back their wages.”
The NSW Government has a 49.6% ownership interest in Ausgrid.
