In a world first, IBM have agreed to bargain with the Australian Services Union for a collective agreement. Last night IBM issued a notice to all their Baulkham Hills (NSW) Flightdeck employees informing them that they intend to bargain for a collective agreement.
IBM also wrote to the ASU agreeing to meet and responding to a list of claims the ASU provided to them two weeks ago.
"We are very happy that IBM has finally agreed to bargain for a collective agreement. We are proud that IBM ASU members are the first group of IBM workers in the world to get this far. We want to reach an Agreement with IBM and we have presented them with those issues we wish to bargain about. High on our list of priorities are the rights for workers who face be facing redundancy because of IBM's stated intention to move work to India and China.
"ASU members are asking for a higher redundancy payment for any worker whose job is moving off-shore. We believe this is justified as it is not just the current Australia based workers who are losing their job, but a job is lost for future generations of IT workers in Australia. If companies chase lower wages and working conditions in other countries, there should be an extra cost for this.
"We look forward to our negotiations and welcome IBM's acceptance that they need to negotiate according to the laws for workers in Australia," said Sally McManus, ASU NSW & ACT (Services) Branch Secretary.
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