Union members reject IBM’s latest offer

The employees all work at the high security ‘Flightdeck’ data centre, which provides 24/7 services to customers such as Westpac, Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Air New Zealand.

The union had threatened to go on strike over conditions at the Flightdeck.
ASU spokesperson Claire Johnston said that many of the Flightdeck’s staff came from diverse companies, where conditions were “significantly different” to IBM.

“What the ASU is trying to do is streamline the system so that all employees are on the same entitlements no matter where they came from – payscale, sick leave and holiday leave entitlements, for example, should be streamlined.”

IBM and the ASU have been negotiating for over a month, with no clear resolution. Last night’s rejection of IBM’s offer has pushed back progress again.

The ASU said: “Members were not happy with the offer as it stands and have sent their representatives back to negotiate with a clear message that there must be more progress made on the deal.”

IBM refused to comment on the details of their offer, telling iTnews, "We are continuing discussions with employee representatives."

Around half of the Flightdeck’s employees are members of the ASU; 10 abstained from the vote to take industrial action. ASU Branch Secretary Sally McManus said that this is the first collective dispute ASU has participated in at IBM.

Negotiations are set to continue today.