While we're talking about the AWU, this from their website today.
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Skilled defence jobs must be retained
9 May 2012
The Federal Government's decision to retire the RAAF's fleet of C-130H Hercules aircraft early, as part of the Budget defence cuts, has put the long-term future of 250 workers at the RAAF Richmond base at risk.
AWU National Secretary Paul Howes today said the union was concerned for the working future of the highly-trained employees and contractors of Qantas Defence Services who maintain the C-130H Hercules aircraft.
"The union has spoken to the Federal Government and Qantas today to find out exactly what the Government's budget announcement means for the aircraft maintenance workforce at Richmond.
"We have been assured that no immediate jobs will be lost as a result of the announcement.
"We will now work closely with the Department of Defence and Qantas Defence Services to ensure minimum disruption to workers at the Richmond base as the aircraft are phased out of operation."
Mr Howes said Australia's skilled workforce was essential to our national defence capabilities.
"The Department of Defence must find alternative aircraft maintenance work for the Richmond base so that Australia does not lose access to the highly-trained workforce that has been developed at Richmond over many years."
"The skilled workers at RAAF Base Richmond need to have regular work, otherwise they will be lost to other industries.
"The AWU will not stand by and see the jobs sacrificed, and these capabilities lost."
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