After a long wait the Australian Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) has decided in favour of the ASU and issued orders for a protected action ballot to be held for workers at the IBM Flightdeck at Baulkham Hills.

The ballot will be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission by postal vote. Voting will open on 14 August 2008 and will close on 29 August 2008.

A "yes" vote will give workers on the IBM Flightdeck the option to take protected (legal) industrial action in support of their claims for a collective agreement.

It is important that all ASU members on the IBM Flightdeck participate in the vote to send a strong message to IBM.

Yesterday, before we recieved the decision from the AIRC we were contacted by IBM to arrange a meeting in relation to a new bargaining period commenced by the ASU. This was commenced by the ASU as bargaining agent for ASU members on the Flightdeck to avoid the technical legal argument IBM used to object to our application for a protected action ballot. We had organised for our shift contacts to meet with IBM on Thursday. We will still push for this meeting to go ahead to get IBM to the bargaining table.

Meetings will be held on Wednesday 20 August 2008 at 5.30 and 6.30pm at the Castle Hill Country Club to discuss our strategy going forward. It is important that as many Flightdeck workersas possible attend this meeting and have input into the campaign.

You can download a copy of the complete order and decision by the AIRC here. 

If you have any questions, please contact Organiser, Carl Harris on 02 9310 4000 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .