Chevron LNG strikes set to end as union agrees to deal
Labour unions and Chevron have agreed to a compromise deal put forward by an industrial umpire, spelling the end to more than two weeks of work stoppages that threatened to disrupt LNG exports from Western Australia.
The Offshore Alliance – comprising the Australian Workers’ Union and the Maritime Union of Australia – said that its members at Chevron endorsed a recommendation put forward by the Fair Work Commission at a late night meeting on Thursday.
Chevron’s Wheatstone facility is one of Western Australia’s biggest LNG exporters.
Chevron had already agreed earlier on Thursday evening to the compromise proposed by Fair Work Commissioner Bernie Riordan on sticking points including loading, travel allowances, overtime and job security. The US major is understood to have tabled an offer on remuneration in mediation talks earlier this week which has been accepted.
“The Offshore Alliance will now work with Chevron to finalise the drafting of the three agreements and members will soon cease current industrial action,” the Alliance said.
“Commissioner Riordan’s recommendation contains substantial improvements in terms and conditions of employment including increased remuneration, job security, locked-in rosters, career progression and returning all employees to a 40 per cent roster,” said AWU WA Secretary Brad Gandy.
The last-minute agreement came just hours ahead of a full bench sitting of the Fair Work Commission in Sydney to hear Chevron’s application for a declaration of “intractable bargaining” that would force the dispute into arbitration.
The FWC said on Friday morning the hearing would still go ahead so the parties “can communicate their positions to the Full Bench on the record, unless Chevron discontinues the
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