Qantas and Westpac customers face disruptions
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SYDNEY, Aug 31 AAP
September 01 2008, 07:55AM
Qantas and Westpac customers face disruptions to online bookings and banking this week after Australian Services Union (ASU) members voted to start industrial action.
The union says IBM technical support staff will hold four-hour rolling stoppages at its "flightdeck" centre in Baulkham Hills in Sydney's north from Wednesday over IBM's refusal to negotiate a collective agreement with employees.
The IBM employees also maintain computer systems for Cathay Pacific, the Australian Customs Service and Medicare.
ASU branch secretary Sally McManus said some of IBM's clients would not be able to process anything online without running into problems which the employees would usually fix quickly.
"Airport customers will face flight delays, billions of dollars may not be processed for Westpac and customs won't be able to keep track of security checks, all because IBM refuses to talk to its employees," Ms McManus said.
"Everyone will be affected by this from Qantas passengers whose planes won't be on time, to Medicare customers whose payments may not go through."
She said IBM had so far refused to negotiate a collective agreement with its workers.
Comment was being sought from IBM.
