Australian LNG Union Reaches Deal to End Strikes at Ichthys
(Bloomberg) Unions in Australia and Japan’s Inpex Corp. agreed to end strikes at the Ichthys liquefied natural gas export facility after weeks of industrial action.
Inpex has been notified that all strike action will cease by 6 p.m. Wednesday, the Offshore Alliance, which represents the Australian Workers’ Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, said in a statement.
More than 400 union members endorsed the settlement at 6 a.m. this morning, the Offshore Alliance said in a social media post. One LNG train was shut at the Ichthys plant on Tuesday, according to the post.
Cargo loading has resumed at the Ichthys facility, Inpex Senior Vice President Corporate Bill Townsend said in an email confirming that agreement has been reached.
The strikes threatened to exacerbate global LNG market tightness after the war in the Middle East choked supply from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Workers have engaged in industrial action since early June, downing tools for several hours a day, among other measures.
“Members have won an agreement that delivers significant gains in job security, pay, career progression, workplace rights and working arrangements,” the Offshore Alliance said in its statement.
A formal vote by union members is expected to take place soon, although the terms of the deal haven’t been confirmed by Inpex, the Australian Broadcasting Corp. reported.
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