After overwhelmingly voting down an enterprise agreement offer described by the Offshore Alliance as below industry standard, Offshore Alliance members at INPEX have resoundingly endorsed the option of protected industrial action against the gas giant.
The Ballot of roughly 346 members opened on April 20 and closed at 2pm AWST today, Friday April 24.
The results of the ballot are clear: a huge majority of Offshore Alliance members are in favour of exercising their right to take strike action in pursuit of their bargaining claims. Between 99% and 100% of voting Alliance members endorsed each of the 26 actions proposed by the union.
Offshore Alliance members have endorsed various forms of protected industrial action including bans such as refusing to change from Day Shift to Night Shift, refusing to review risk assessments, offtake bans and undertaking work stoppages from 30 minutes to 24 hours.
The endorsement of industrial action allows Offshore Alliance members to theoretically commence strike action from 7 May.
However, in a development in negotiations between the union and the company, the parties have agreed to engage in bargaining facilitated by Australia's industrial relations umpire the Fair Work Commission.
The parties have agreed to six, full-day facilitated meetings before the Commission between 5 and 15 May.
Whilst these negotiations are ongoing, the Offshore Alliance has undertaken not to notify the company of any industrial action.
"Offshore Alliance members working at INPEX have sent a clear message they are willing to take protected industrial action in pursuit of their claims," Offshore Alliance spokesman and AWU Assistant National Secretary Chris Donovan said.
"In light of INPEX indicating a willingness to work meaningfully with the union to reach a new enterprise agreement, the Alliance will withhold from notifying of any strike action until after 15 May."
