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The campaign launched with an online video, as well as the unveiling of a five metre high installation of a Chevron executive with their head in the sand:
The Western Australian branch of the MUA has been unfairly blamed by the Australian Mines and Metals Association (AMMA) for problems on the Gorgon project, the mass development of gas fields off the northwest coast of Western Australia (see:www.chevronaustralia.com/our-businesses/gorgon for more on the project).
The union has been trying to negotiate a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement for maritime workers working in the offshore oil and gas sector and is being used as a scapegoat by Chevron for escalating costs and delays attached to the project.
ITF president and MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said: “Gorgon is an important project for Chevron and the Australian national interest in the development of our nationally-owned resources.
“The MUA, the ITF and myself have consistently committed to a functional and long term commitment to productivity within the reach of labour relations since the initial Financial Investment Decision years ago. Each approach has been firmly rebuffed by the company.”
Mr Crumlin questioned why Chevron wouldn’t sit down with the unions to develop a sustainable and functional relationship with its workforce: “Gorgon is one of the largest LNG projects in the world, where Australian national assets are being developed in an Australian National park. It’s imperative that Chevron develops a good industrial relationship with those working on the project.
“Really, the company needs to get a grip, cop their stuff-ups on the chin and return to a mature and balanced industrial relations model more suited to Australian values underpinning economic and commercial success.
“If they do that, Chevron will have the support and encouragement of both the maritime union and the ITF.”