Thousands of public sector workers in New South Wales were to strike for four hours on Monday in defiance of an order from the industrial umpire.
The Public Service Association (PSA) has authorised its 40,000 members to stop work and attend mass meetings at 40 locations across the state from 10am.
The main meeting will take place at Sydney's Town Hall where about 1000 workers will vote on a resolution to ramp up an industrial campaign against state Premier Barry O'Farrell's government.
PSA general secretary John Cahill said the union had tried talking to the government but had been ignored in its fight against a 2.5% wage cap and job cuts.
"Maybe they'll listen to thousands of people demonstrating right across the state," Mr Cahill said in a statement.
The Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) on Friday ordered that the PSA refrain from holding industrial action.
Striking workers will include prison officers, school support staff, park rangers, child protection case workers, disability support workers, IT and human resources staff across all NSW government departments.
NSW Treasurer Mike Baird said the PSA's decision to ignore the commission's order was disappointing and would cause significant disruption across the public service.
The union's decision to ignore the IRC mean it and its senior officers will face penalties.
