Due to Chevron and Woodside Energy’s failure to confirm benchmark pay and conditions and provide job security, as well as implement prohibitions against outsourcing jobs to labour hire contractors, Offshore Alliance members at both companies are actively voting for industrial action.
On 9 August 2023, over 150 members on Woodside’s offshore LNG platforms — Goodwyn Alpha, North Rankin Complex and Angel Platform — voted 99 per cent in favour of taking Protected Industrial Action.
The Fair Work Commission has since provided approval for Offshore Alliance members on the Wheatstone Platform to join the Gorgon and Wheatstone Downstream workforce in three separate Protected Industrial Action ballots that are to take place over the course of this week.
Protected Industrial Action could involve a variety of work bans including the refusal to load tankers or vessels with LNG or condensate, up to complete stoppages of work.
Australian Workers’ Union WA Secretary and Offshore Alliance spokesperson Brad Gandy said gas producers need to come to terms with the fact that workers want an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) and that the agreement needs to include industry standard terms and conditions of employment.
Gandy also firmly believes that it would be beneficial for all parties involved if both Chevron and Woodside Energy approach these negotiations pragmatically as soon as possible.
“Gas producers like Woodside and Chevron might be used to throwing their weight around in countries with weak industrial laws but Australian workers have fought for over 100 years for strong industrial rights.
“Offshore Alliance members want a deal with industry standard pay and conditions and have either voted to endorse the taking of industrial action in the case of Woodside, or have endorsed the union to apply for orders to ballot for industrial action in the case of Chevron.
“Offshore Alliance members are highly skilled, work in a dangerous industry and work unsocial rosters which means extended time away from their families. Employers in this industry like Woodside and Chevron need to recognise this and provide them the terms and conditions of employment they deserve,” said Gandy.
Gandy stated that he hopes for both companies to learn from Shell’s mistake with the Offshore Alliance members strike from 2022 which lasted 76 days and cost the company $1.5 billion in lost production.
“Our members are acutely aware $50 billion was made last year exporting Australian gas to the world last year and they don’t want to jeopardise that, but Chevron and Woodside are leaving them little option but to take industrial action,” said Gandy.
Woodside Energy has spent the last nine months in the Fair Work Commission and the Federal Court of Australia opposing Offshore Alliance members’ right to bargain for an enterprise agreement and the company has failed on 13 occasions.
Over the last 30 years, Woodside has issued contracts for individuals which have failed to ensure proper job security, roster flexibility, fixed key employment terms and industry standard pay and conditions.
Offshore Alliance members at Chevron are currently seeking remuneration outcomes that are in accordance with benchmark industry standards as Chevron’s proposed remuneration terms are comparatively lower than many Tier 2 oil and gas operations in Australian waters.
