Inpex Gas Workers Strike Over Pay Deal
Quick Look
- Workers at the Japanese-owned Inpex gas facility in Australia have walked off the job after pay negotiations stalled.
- The Offshore Alliance union is demanding a 3% annual pay rise, which industry observers claim would push average salaries over $500,000 and increase labor costs by 50-60%.
- Further industrial action is planned.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Workers at the Inpex gas facility have walked off the job after negotiations on a new pay deal stalled. The Offshore Alliance, representing workers, is pushing for better conditions and a 3% annual pay rise. Industry observers claim these demands would significantly increase labor costs.
Workers at the Inpex gas facility have walked off the job after negotiations stalled on a new pay deal.
Industry observers have claimed union demands would push the average salary of an Inpex worker beyond $500,000 a year.
What's next?
Industrial action was taken this morning, with further action planned for Tuesday evening.
Workers at the Japanese-owned Inpex gas operation have walked off the job after weeks of negotiations on pay and conditions stalled.
Industrial action took place this morning at the Ichthys site, with a further two-hour work stoppage planned on for this evening.
The Offshore Alliance, a combination of the Australian Workers' Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, has been pushing for better conditions and annual pay rises of 3 per cent.
Industry lobby group Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association (AREEA) have said this would increase labour costs by 50–60 per cent and push the average Inpex salary to more than $500,000 a year.
The Ichthys operation takes gas from offshore fields in West Australian waters, before it is sent to Darwin for processing.
In a social media post, the Offshore Alliance said significant progress had been made in negotiations last week, but Inpex had "fallen short on a number of fundamental claims".
"A long way short, and our Inpex members have had enough," the post said.
"Protected Industrial Action ramps up today on all 3 Inpex facilities with stoppages of work and work bans.
"Inpex are making billions off the blood, sweat and tears of their Australian operations workforce, and we will keep escalating PIA [protected industrial action] until Inpex agree to fair industrial outcomes.
"If you don't fight, you lose."
Union representatives and Inpex have been contacted for comment.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Further industrial action will continue if negotiations remain stalled.
Very likely · Within days
Inpex and the Offshore Alliance will eventually reach a new pay deal.
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- What specific fundamental claims did Inpex fall short on?
- What is Inpex's official response to the strike and the union's claims?
- How long is the industrial action expected to last?
- What are the potential economic impacts of the strike on gas supply and prices?
