Correctional officers in Darwin and Alice Springs have flagged industrial action as they fight to have a four-year pay freeze overturned.
The United Workers Union says the officers will walk off the job for 24 hours at some stage this month.
"Correctional Officers are appalled that the new chief minister has done nothing about the four-year wage freeze for government workers," UWU secretary Erina Early said.
"Workers say they will continue to take action, which could include rolling walk-offs, until their demands are heard."
Ms Early said the corrections sector was in crisis in the NT with workers trying to cope with diminishing staffing levels, crowded prisons, lack of appropriate funding, riots and unsafe working conditions.