Confusion over CFMEU claims

THE Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union is claiming a victory in its battle to become part of a site agreement between three other unions and Woodside Energy on the Burrup Peninsular.

CFMEU assistant secretary Joe McDonald said the union had a win in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and “at the coal face”.

However, the other parties involved in the dispute on the Burrup Peninsular are not sure what victory the CFMEU believes it has had.

Woodside spokesman Paul Ryan said the CFMEU had not been granted any rights to enter the site. There are fears that the turf fight between the CFMEU and the Australian Workers Unions, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union could threaten the future viability of up to $7 billion worth of investment on the Burrup.

AWU state secretary Tim Daly said contractors building Woodside’s fourth liquefied natural gas train did not want the CFMEU involved.

UnionsWA secretary Stephanie Mayman said there was hope of a solution.

Initial tensions on the site have eased after between 250 and 400 workers walked off the job last week. Those striking workers returned to work on Saturday.