IBM have finally agreed to meet with your representatives to discuss making a union collective agreement.

After avoiding meeting with the ASU for months, IBM have agreed to meet to discuss negotiations for a union collective agreement next week.

Graham Halls contacted ASU Secretary, Sally McManus today to indicate IBM's inention to meet. This will be confirmed shortly by letter.

This is an important step in the campaign to get a union collective agreement to cover the IBM Flightdeck. We will keep you informed about any developments in relation to the meeting and negotiations.

Many of you would have received the ballot papers from the Australian Electoral Commission today.

It is important that you participate and vote “Yes” in the ballot.

• A “Yes” vote gives members the option to take industrial action that is protected by law.
• A “Yes” vote does not mean that ASU members have to take industrial action. No Industrial action will be taken until there has been a meeting of all ASU memers to make a decision.
• A strong “Yes” vote sends a clear signal to IBM and gives us more bargaining power in negotiations.

It is important that you vote “Yes” to every question on the ballot. We won’t take every form of industrial action included in the ballot, but a “Yes” vote gives us a broader range of options to choose from.

Ballot papers must be received by the AEC by 10.00am on Friday 29 August 2008.

If you have any questions or if you have not received your ballot paper please contact Organiser, Carl Harris immediately on 0423 564 162 or 02 9310 4000.