Boeing workers consider resuming strike

By ABC Online

The 25 aircraft maintenance workers had been celebrating the intervention of the New South Wales Industrial Relations Commission in the dispute, even though the workers are employed under a federal award.

Yesterday the Federal Industrial Relations Commission (AIRC) ruled that the state body had no power to intervene.

The AIRC found no reason to defer to state law and that any outstanding issues should be dealt with under federal industrial law.

Boeing Australia has welcomed the decision.

Australian Workers Union (AWU) Newcastle branch secretary Kevin Maher says he will speak to the workers this afternoon about their options, which could include going back on strike.

"Nothing's impossible in this dispute, but we'll be giving them a report about yesterday's proceedings and what it means to us," he said.

"One of the things that we've done throughout this dispute is to consult, advise and work with our members very closely and the decisions that they make, they make based on every bit of information available to them."

AWU national secretary Bill Shorten says the union is now seeking legal advice.

"A significant number of workers don't want to be on individual contracts, they want to have a union agreement," he said.

"They've been on a 265 day dispute, they've returned in good faith.

"Boeing on the other hand, Boeing is like a football team that even after the siren's gone at the end of the match, insists on having another kick so I just don't think Boeing are a very nice company at all."

Article from ABC Online