Boeing Dispute Update 5

As AWU members know, the effective stand down of AWU members was undertaken by Boeing in response to the instigation of lawful and protected industrial action by AWU members during the bargaining period that was first initiated by the AWU in March 2005.

Legally, AWU members must return to work today and tomorrow. To do otherwise would be to put Boeing in a position where it could institute proceedings in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission seeking orders to compel AWU members to return to work.

In response to this development late last week, the AWU notified Boeing and the AIRC of further planned protected industrial action as from Wednesday, 22 June 2005. The notification specified that members of the AWU would withdraw their labour for an indefinite period of time on and from that date.

The position of Boeing in this regard in somewhat curious, though highly suspicious. As AWU members could well appreciate, the offer to come back to work whilst Boeing permits the ban on the filling out of timesheets to continue smacks of a deliberate strategy to isolate and pressure AWU members, on an individual basis, to sign the revised individual contracts.

It should be made clear that by going back to work until Wednesday, AWU members are not backing down in any way, shape or form.

AWU members should feel confident knowing that they are complying with the law and that their collective discipline can, and will, be an example to others who have not lifted a finger toward the betterment of wages and conditions at Williamtown.

Contact Details
AWU National Office
Ph:  (03) 8327 0888
Fax: (03) 8327 08991
members@awu.net.au
http://www.awu.net.au/