Oil and gas producers Woodside and Chevron are facing potential industrial action from members of the Offshore Alliance over a pay dispute. The dispute encompasses issues such as benchmark pay and conditions, prohibitions against outsourcing jobs, and job security. Over 150 Offshore Alliance members working on Woodside’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) platforms in Western Australia have voted overwhelmingly in favor of taking protected industrial action to advance their bargaining claims. This action could range from work bans to complete stoppages. Negotiations with Woodside are expected to continue, with Offshore Alliance seeking improved job security, rostering arrangements, and industry-standard pay and conditions.
Meanwhile, members of the Offshore Alliance at Chevron’s Gorgon and Wheatstone downstream facilities have not yet reached agreement on issues including job security, rosters, transfers, overcycle working, training standards, travel arrangements, and rates of pay. Offshore Alliance members are seeking remuneration aligned with benchmark industry standards, while Chevron’s proposed remuneration terms fall below those of several other oil and gas operators in Australian waters.
Brad Gandy, spokesperson for the Offshore Alliance, stated that gas producers working in Australian waters needed to recognize the workers’ desire for an enterprise agreement with industry-standard terms and conditions. Gandy emphasized that Offshore Alliance members were highly skilled individuals who worked in a dangerous industry and faced extended time away from their families due to unsocial rosters. He called on Woodside and Chevron to provide these workers with the employment terms and conditions they deserved, including Tier 1 pay and conditions and prohibitions against outsourcing jobs to labor hire contractors.
Gandy also highlighted the profitability of Woodside and Chevron and stated that it was not unreasonable for workers to expect the companies to share their profits. He noted that while members of the Offshore Alliance were aware of the significant profits made from Australian gas exports, the companies’ rejection of reasonable claims was leaving them with little choice but to take industrial action.
The Offshore Alliance aims to avoid a repeat of last year’s strike by Shell’s Offshore Alliance members, which lasted 76 days and cost the company AUD 1.5 billion in lost production. Gandy called on Woodside and Chevron to approach negotiations pragmatically and return to the bargaining table. The workers want a deal that includes industry-standard pay and conditions. In the case of Woodside, members have voted to endorse industrial action, while in the case of Chevron, they have endorsed the union’s application for orders to ballot for industrial action.
In conclusion, the Offshore Alliance’s members at Woodside and Chevron are striving for improved pay and conditions, job security, and protection against outsourcing. They are ready to take industrial action to achieve their goals. Woodside and Chevron must recognize the workers’ demands and engage in meaningful negotiations to avoid disruptions in production and further costs.
