IBM workers strike

Workers at IBM’s Baulkham Hills operation have voted to carry out four hour rolling stoppages from Wednesday, possibly causing huge operational delays for IBM clients such as Westpac and Qantas.

Workers at IBM’s Baulkham Hills operation have voted to carry out four hour rolling stoppages from Wednesday, possibly causing huge operational delays for IBM clients such as Westpac and Qantas.

46 workers from a group of 65 voted to strike for better pay and conditions such as: regular pay rises, pay equity, travel allowance, fair redundancy and retrenchment provisions, paid shift handover periods, fair access to leave entitlements and time off in lieu, shift penalties and the option to work from home.

IBM offered staff $4000 bonuses as incentive to not strike, 10 workers have since agreed to the proposal.

The Australian Services Union has predicted that the strike will cause serious disruptions to wage and social service payments. IBM clients that rely on the group include Westpac and Qantas, and critical government services providers the Australian Customs Service and Medicare.

Source: The Australian