Hey Guys,
Protected Industrial Action, or PIA, is a valid and sanctioned way to get companies who are stonewalling or being unreasonable back to the negotiating table. This form of action MUST be approved by Fair Work Australia (FWA) and must be measured and gradual.
For example, a few years ago, the Southern Regional Red Rat Flight Crew had approval for PIA in the form of not answering phones on RDOs and not flying aircraft with any MELs on it. This was approved by FWA.
It should also be noted that this PIA did not even get implemented, as the company, when it realized the MASSIVE schedule disruption it would face, came back to the table and negotiated in good faith. That is the key word here, GOOD FAITH.
If the negotiators are being told a constant and monotonous NO to reasonable and justifiable claims, what else would you have the negotiators do?
Awww sorry guys, the company won't give us a payrise and now we have to pay for our cyclics...
You guys know you can vote Liberal and be a member of a Union right??
Note, this form of action is (as far as I am aware) only open to Union members. If other non union members participate, they can get into serious trouble as this is 'unprotected'. That was my understanding, happy to be corrected.
Good luck to the Tiger negotiators, it is a thankless job.
j3