More than 450 workers on Chevron’s Pilbara gas operations have backed industrial action over a pay dispute between unions and the multinational gas giant.
More than 450 workers on Chevron’s Pilbara gas operations have backed industrial action over a pay dispute between unions and the multinational gas giant.
The Electrical Trades Union on Thursday evening announced its members at Chevron’s offshore Wheatstone platform and onshore facilities near Onslow had endorsed rolling stoppages of up to 12 hours and bans on certain work.
The Offshore Alliance is seeking a collective agreement with family friendly rosters, improved job security and transparent promotion policy baked in.
ETU spokesman Adam Woodage said the deal sought amounted to a fraction of what would be lost due to industrial action.
“The entire cost of what we seek from Chevron will be overwhelmed by just 3.5 hours of industrial action,” he said.
“The companies extracting Australian resources from the WA gas fields are enjoying a bonanza thanks to the Putin spike in commodity prices.
“The least they could do is agree to family friendly rosters and wages.”
A Chevron spokesperson said the company would work towards an amicable outcome for employees and the company.
“While we don’t believe that industrial action is necessary for agreement to be reached, we recognise employees have the right to take protected industrial action and we will continue to take steps to maintain safe and reliable operations in the event of disruption at our facilities," they said.
“We will also continue to work through the bargaining process as we seek outcomes that are in the interests of both employees and the company.”
Offshore Alliance said Chevron was the only holdout remaining with no industry standard enterprise agreement in place.
Should protected action take place, staff could refuse to load LNG tankers or even completely cease working.
The move comes after Woodside earlier in the day came to an agreement with Offshore Alliance at the last-minute to avoid similar action.
Woodside chief executive Meg O'Neill said the company was pleased the matter was resolved.
“We will continue to engage in respectful and constructive dialogue with all of our people as we work together to finalise the agreement and maintain safe and reliable supply of energy to our customers,” she said.
The agreement is expected to be finalised tonight, voted on by employees and passed by the Fair Work Commission.
Chevron has been contacted for comment.
