And when that happens, the 12 blokes who were dislocated from the SIT should have first dibs at going back (if they want) on a last out first back basis.
Spy, we both know that won't be the case. Once the "chosen 12" are gone, there is no going back (not for a long time). It seems that Base and Domestics have too much say in the goings on at S.I.T. We are just a kicking bag for the incompetence of our management and the arrogance of Base's management.
We only have to ask why Heavy Maint. was initially shut down. To build Avalon, which was touted at the time as being only for "overflow" work from SYD. Now Avalon gives "overflow" work to Philippines, Singapore and HAECO. Rumour has it, that QF had to BUY a line in HAECO to fit its scheduled aircraft maintenance in. Avalon couldn't handle it, and the others told QF to get in line and wait their turn. Meanwhile, H245 and H271 sit idle and empty and $$$$$$$ are being wasted on having other 3rd party maintenance organisations doing the work that was once done in SYD, and only done once.
Again, the maths just don't add up. It seems an expensive way to systematically shut down engineering, and erode the "mighty and powerful" engineering force that brought the company to its knees with only a few 4-hour stop-work meetings nationwide. Not wildcat strikes as reported by the company that supposedly cost them $150 million (probably more), as opposed to just giving about $5-$6 million in wage increases as was reasonably requested during the GREAT WAR of 2008. This increase would have been a valuable acknowledgement of the work that not only engineers do, but the company as a whole. That $150 million could have pretty well covered most, if not all employees within QF, and the "Brand" would not have been tainted the way it was, and the workforce would have gotten on and done the job they were initially employed to do.
Anyway, fun times ahead after 17 September.