Energy giants Woodside and Chevron face a battle with unions over pay and conditions.
More than 150 Offshore Alliance members on Woodside’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) platforms Goodwyn Alpha, North Rankin Complex and Angel, off the coast of Western Australia, this week voted 99 percent in favour of taking protected industrial action to progress their bargaining claims.
The federal opposition has warned any action could disrupt gas supply, push up domestic prices and threaten Australia’s trade global reputation.
A Woodside spokeswoman told AAP on Aug. 11 regular meetings continued following the ballot, which allowed protected industrial action to start within a 30-day window upon the company receiving seven working days’ advance notice.
“Woodside has engaged actively and constructively in the bargaining process,” the spokeswoman said.
“Positive progress is being made and the parties have reached an in-principle agreement on a number of issues that are key to the workforce.”
The company did not oppose the protected action ballot applications.
Offshore Alliance members say Woodside employees have for more than three decades been covered by individual contracts which have failed to provide job security, a say in rostering arrangements, certainty in key employment terms and industry standard pay and conditions.
The industrial action could include refusing to load tankers or vessels with LNG or condensate, up to complete stoppages of work.
Talks are also ongoing with resources company Chevron, relating to the Gorgon and Wheatstone Downstream facilities.
The Fair Work Commission has granted protected action ballot orders in relation to workers at the two Chevron facilities, with a vote closing on Aug. 24.
A Chevron spokesman said the company was taking steps to ensure safe and reliable operations were maintained in the event of disruption at the facilities.
“We continue to engage our employees and their representatives as we seek outcomes that are in the interests of both employees and the company,” a spokesman said.
The Offshore Alliance, which involves the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and Maritime Union of Australia, said agreement with the company had not been reached on job security, rosters, transfers to other Chevron worksites, training standards, travel arrangements and rates of pay. AWU Western Australia secretary Brad Gandy said gas producers operating in Australian waters needed to come to terms with workers wanting an enterprise bargaining agreement with industry standard terms and conditions. “Offshore Alliance members are highly skilled, work in a dangerous industry and work unsocial rosters which means extended time away from their families,” Gandy said.
“Employers in this industry like Woodside and Chevron need to recognise this.” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said it was important for unions and employers to work out their issues.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said no one wanted to see a disrupted gas supply.
“It would be a disaster for domestic prices here, which are already high enough, and our trading partners would look at Australia as an unreliable partner and look elsewhere for those contracts,” Dutton told Nine.
