Australia LNG Workers to Begin Strikes Friday at Chevron Sites
Australia’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) workers are set to begin strikes on Friday at Chevron sites in the country. The strikes are part of a long-running dispute between the workers and the company over pay and working conditions.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute between the workers and Chevron began in late 2019, when the workers’ union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), began negotiations with the company over a new enterprise agreement. The union was seeking a pay rise of 4.5%, as well as improved working conditions.
However, Chevron refused to budge on the pay rise, offering only a 2.5% increase. This led to the union taking industrial action, including strikes and work stoppages.
Impact of the Strikes
The strikes are expected to have a significant impact on Chevron’s operations in Australia. The company operates several LNG plants in the country, and the strikes could lead to production delays and disruption.
The strikes could also have a wider impact on the Australian economy. LNG is a major export for the country, and any disruption to production could lead to a drop in exports and a loss of revenue.
Chevron’s Response
Chevron has been critical of the union’s actions, accusing them of being unreasonable in their demands. The company has also accused the union of using the strikes as a bargaining chip to gain leverage in the negotiations.
Chevron has also said that it is willing to negotiate with the union, but only if the union is willing to compromise on its demands.
Outlook
It is unclear how long the strikes will last, or how much of an impact they will have on Chevron’s operations. The union has said that it is willing to negotiate with the company, but it is unclear if the two sides will be able to reach an agreement.
The strikes could have a significant impact on the Australian economy, and it is likely that the government will be monitoring the situation closely. It is possible that the government could intervene in the dispute if it believes that the strikes are having a negative impact on the economy.
Conclusion
Australia’s LNG workers are set to begin strikes on Friday at Chevron sites in the country. The strikes are part of a long-running dispute between the workers and the company over pay and working conditions. The strikes are expected to have a significant impact on Chevron’s operations in Australia, as well as the wider Australian economy. It is unclear how long the strikes will last, or how much of an impact they will have. The government could intervene in the dispute if it believes that the strikes are having a negative impact on the economy.