The strike at Boeing's Fishermans Bend plant ended last night (Sun 27 April) with a vote to return work. For nearly three weeks workers stood up to massive legal threats and company lies while showing solidarity with a worker who was unfairly dismissed.

The return to work agreement saw Boeing lift all legal threats against workers. Boeing had previously demanded that legal threats amounting to 10 of million of dollars would remain over the workers head for the life of the current EBA. In other words go on strike again immediately cop 10 of millions in damages.

Throughout the dispute Boeing attempted to turn rank and file workers against their union and their delegates. Boeing proved they weren't above defaming their own employees and even created a special website to try and threaten, intimate and confuse striking workers. However time and time again strikers voted in open democratic mass meetings to continue the dispute.

Congratulations to Boeing workers for the stand you took during the dispute your example should serve as inspiration. Union Solidarity would like to thank all those who showed support during the dispute.

During the dispute workers at Boeing received support from many unionists and community activists. [see messages of support]

Please note that the planned Boeing Family Day Concert set the this Saturday (May 3) has been postponed)

ps. Boeing have now removed the most of the content of their dispute website but a cached version can be found here.

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Archive | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Return to work agreement

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Community Assembly
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Support Poster

Fri 25 April:
Quick Update

• Support for strike growing
  
• Boeing's legal threats softening?
• Workers vote to continue strike
  
• Solidarity concert for workers Sat May 3.
• Another legal development
  

Support for strike growing
As news spreads of the Boeing workers struggle support for the strikers continues to build. A number of workplaces have held meetings and taken up collections. Delegates from various unions including the AWU have attended the assembly. Donations of food, wood and most importantly money continue to come in.

Boeing legal threats softening?
Boeing are now publicly saying that if there is a return to work then they will drop all pending legal action against employees. Previously Boeing stated that even if workers returned to work the threat of legal action would remain for the life of the EBA. This a shift but Boeing are still using the bullying tactics of legal treats to try and force workers back to work rather than negotiate in good faith. (Boeing website | legal situation)

Workers vote to continue strike.
Striking workers rejected a company return to work proposals on Wednesday and again on Thursday. Two major striking points remain. One the process and the unfairness of the original sacking. Two a concern that Boeing will victimise strikers when work resumes.

Solidarity Concert for Boeing workers.
A concert is being organised to support the Boeing workers.

• 11am Saturday May 3 at the Wharf Road Community Assembly

Worrying development.
Union Solidarity coordinator Dave Kerin was served with an an order by the Workplace Ombudsman to produce Union Solidarity documents relating to the Boeing dispute by the 8th of May. If Dave fails to comply he faces up to 6 months in prison. We wish to make it clear that we will continue to throw all of our support behind the Boeing workers. [Notice to produce documents]

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Boeing then started legal moves which now see the workers potentially faces fines under the existing Workchoices legislation. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Organise fund raising for the strikers
  
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to boeingdispute@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Archive | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Support Poster

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Community Assembly
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Support Poster

Wed 23 April:
Quick Update

• BBQ at Community Assembly Thurs 24 April 12noon
  
• Boeing's legal deadline for return to work passes
• Boeing starting to move?
  
• Solidarity concert for workers.
  

BBQ
A BBQ for the Boeing Workers and supporters will be held tomorrow Thurs 24 April at 12noon on the assembly on Wharf Rd. Please come along and show your support, donations welcome.

Some movement by Boeing?
Boeing rejected the Sat April 19 "Proposed Settlement Agreement" by stating that they would not negotiate while the strike continues and continuing to insist they would pursue legal action. Today Boeing management held discussions with delegates and proposed a settlement. The details of the settlement will be examined carefully and discussed at the workers mass meeting tomorrow.

Solidarity Concert for Boeing workers.
A concert is being organised to support the Boeing workers.

• 11am Sunday May 3 at the Wharf Road Community Assembly

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Boeing then started legal moves which now see the workers potentially faces fines under the existing Workchoices legislation. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Organise fund raising for the strikers
  
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to boeingdispute@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Archive

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Community Assembly
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Support Poster

Mon 21 April:
Quick Update

• Mass meeting voted overwhelming to continue dispute
• Boeing rejects workers proposed settlement
• Boeing continues to threaten striking workers with legal action
• Solidarity concert for workers.
  

Today, April 21 a mass meeting at the community assembly voted to continue the strike. Reportedly only a handful of workers voted to return to work. Another mass meeting is scheduled for Tues 22 April.

Legal Treats
Boeing issued the following treat to employees today on their website.
"unless there is an immediate return to work, all legal avenues will have to be explored." more on legal situation

Proposed settlement rejected by Boeing
A mass meeting on Sat 19 April gave Boeing a way out of the dispute.
"Proposed Settlement Agreement" which in brief asked Boeing to:

• Drop all legal action
• Return the sacked worker to his position
• Let an independent arbitrator investigate allegations made against the sacked worker and other employees

This was a more than reasonable that would have seen a resolution to the dispute, Boeing rejected it.

Another Agenda?
It's hard to believe that Boeing want to fix this dispute. What's become clear is an intention by Boeing to break the will of the workers and have them return to work divided and with legal threats hanging over their head.

"If employees return to work and stay at work through the life of the current EBA, all legal proceedings, against all working employees, will be dropped." [letter of intent April 17]

If Boeing was successful in getting a return to work on that basis then they would have a free hand in radically forcing any change they want. Workers would not be in a position to defend themselves for fear of immediately being liable for millions of dollars in damages. How secure would any EBA be under those conditions?

Support Required:
Union Solidarity urges its supporters to attend the community assembly over the next week. We urge supporters to put their name down for one of the following times.

• 5am – 1pm | 1pm – 9pm | 9pm – 5am or drop when you can.

Solidarity Concert for Boeing workers.
A concert is being organised to support the Boeing workers.

• 11am Sunday May 3 at the Wharf Road Community Assembly

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Boeing then started legal moves which now see the workers potentially faces fines under the existing Workchoices legislation. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Organise fund raising for the strikers
  
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to boeingdispute@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Workers Fundraising Concert | Support Poster

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Community Assembly
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet

Fri 18 April:
Battle of the meetings
Yesterday (April 17) Boeing in a fairly transparent effort to affect a return to work organised a meeting of employees at Docklands. At most 200 turned up. Boeing promised to drop all legal action but only if they returned to work immediately and turn their backs on the union and delegates. (see Boeing website)

Boeing attempted to organise a meeting inside the plant at 8am this morning. Workers instead attended an assembly meeting at 7am and resolved to attend another mass meeting Sat April 19 at the picket.

During the assembly meeting Boeing attempted to dismantle one of the picket lines and organised a bus load of contractors to commence work. When the contractors saw the picket line however they refused to enter.

Support Required:
Union Solidarity urges its supporters to attend the picket tonight (Fri 18) and over the weekend.

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Workers believe that another 8 workers face a similar fate. Efforts to the resolve the dispute failed on Wednesday April 9 workers walked off the job. Boeing then started legal moves which now see the workers potentially faces fines. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Organise fund raising for the strikers
  
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Boeing Archive

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Community Assembly
6am & 2pm Wed 16 April
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus
Download and print support leaflet

Tue 15 April:
Boeing workers continue their strike action as the Federal Court has insisted on mediation between Boeing and AMWU to resolve the issue. A workers mass meeting yesterday (Mon 13 April) determined to continue the strike defying an Industrial Relations Commission order preventing all industrial action.

Over the weekend Union Solidarity was informed of plans to organise strike breakers. We strongly believe that buses containing strike breakers intend to break the picket on 6am and 2pm Wed 16 April. Union Solidarity has taken steps to mobilise our supporters to prevent this happening. We urge everyone to attend the Boeing picket.

Background:
The dispute started on Monday April 7 when Boeing sacked a worker and suspended another without going through the agreed dispute settlement procedure. Workers believe that another 8 workers face a similar fate. Efforts to the resolve the dispute failed with Boeing insisting they have a legal right under WorkChoices to do as they please. On Wednesday April 9 workers walked off the job. more background

How can I support the strike?

• Attend the 24hour community assembly
• Download and print support leaflet
• Send messages of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org
  
• Join the SMS alert list to be informed of mobilisations

More info: Boeing Support Leaflet | Past Actions at Boeing

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Show of support for AMWU worker sacked - 500 on strike

Community Assembly
Wharf Road
Fishermens Bend
(Off Todd Rd - Melways E12)
Public Transport 235, 237 or 606 Bus

Thurs 10 April:
This week Boeing at Fishermans Bend (Melbourne) sacked an AMWU member unfairly. When fellow workers tried to organise a mass meeting Hawker De Havilland tried to prevent it by running to the Industrial Relations Commission seeking a 496s order. The IRC has issued an order preventing all industrial action but the workers are on strike in solidarity with their sacked colleague.

Over the weekend it is requested that supporters nominate to put themselves on the 24 hour picket roster by calling 0412 484 094 or attending the picket.

More info: 0412 484 094

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes

Boeing workers return to work today after management agreed to re-examine the grounds for dismissal of 3 union delegates. The company also agreed not to proceed with legal action against the union and individual union members.

An overwhelming majority of workers voted to end the strike after hearing that their comrades will remain employed while a private adjudicator investigates the original grounds for dismissal. Unions and members are confident that the delegates will be vindicated.

Amcor workers visited the picket today and were warmly received. Strikers at Boeing show their appreciation of the support they received from unions and the community by donating their strike fund to Union Solidarity.

Stay tuned Amcor and Boeing struggles will be celebrated soon with a function at Trades Hall. We will publish details when they come to hand.

Yours in struggle

Union Solidarity

Labels: Boeing, strikes

Boeing / Hawker De Havilland
Wharf Rd
Fishermans Bend
(Melways 42 -E12, Public Transport 235, 236, 237 from Flinder St Station & 606 Bus)

Please download print & distribute: Boeing workers support leaflet

Workers at Boeing’s Fishermans Bend plant remain on strike and are encouraged by growing union and community support. More workers attended a mass meeting today (8am Wed 23 August) after yesterday receiving company letters and court orders directing a return to work. Boeing’s attempt to panic the workers to break the strike clearly failed.

One worker however did break ranks and crossed the picketline. He attended work and during the course of the day but was convinced to re-join the strike. After walking back through the line he donated $100 to the kitty, apologised and received a strong round of applause, all was forgiven. Strikers are encouraged by the course of events they feel a weak link has been welded up.

This incident illustrates the principled way to deal with potential strikebreakers. Crossing a picketline is unacceptable, however if a worker crosses in a moment of weakness or confusion they need to be won over to walking out again. If they do take that courageous walk back through the line all has to be forgiven.

Community support is growing with visitors attending the picket and donating food. Their presence on the picket has been well received. Workers from P&O visited the picket and rail workers dropped off firewood. If you are in a position to support the dispute please do so.

• Come down to the community assembly to fill roster. (ph: 0412 484 094)
  
• Bring food, drink, shelter material
  
• Send message of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org
• print and distribute Boeing workers support leaflet

more info: background to dispute | Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Boeing workers support leaflet

Labels: Boeing, strikes

Boeing / Hawker De Havilland
Wharf Rd
Fishermans Bend
(Melways 42 -E12, Public Transport 235, 236, 237 from Flinder St Station & 606 Bus)

Please download print & distribute: Boeing workers support leaflet

Boeing has targeted and sacked 3 shop stewards. 350 workers members of the AMWU, APESMA (Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists and Managers, Australia) and NUW have been on strike since last Thursday (August 17). Workers at a 9am mass meeting voted today (Tues August 22) to stay out on strike. The AIRC has ordered the workers back to work; these union members require our support.

Please:

• Come down to the community assembly to fill roster. (ph: 0412 484 094)
  
• Bring food, drink, shelter material
  
• Send message of support to contact@unionsolidarity.org
  

Keep in daily contact with website for updates, as with Amcor the situation can change day by day. A leaflet for printing and distribution will be available soon.

Update: Mass meeting 8am Weds 23 August.

more info: Dave Kerin 0412 484 094 | Boeing workers support leaflet

Labels: Boeing, Community Assemblies, strikes