Regulator Urges Chevron, Unions to Accept Proposal to End Strikes

Chevron and the unions are close to reach a deal that would end industrial action at the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG facilities, with the nation’s labor regulator putting forward new proposals to resolve remaining disputes according to Australia’s Fair Work Commission.

• "I strongly recommend that the parties adopt the recommendations ... which will hopefully resolve these disputes," FWC Commissioner Bernie Riordan said.
• "In my view, the parties are close to achieving their desired outcome of registered enterprise agreements to cover the wages and employment conditions," Riordan said in the filing.
• “A large number of issues have been settled. However, a failure to settle all of the outstanding issues will result in those agreed provisions simply evaporating,” the FWC said in a statement.
• The commission's recommendations came a day after talks between Chevron and a union alliance over strikes at the Wheatstone and Gorgon facilities ended without a deal.
• The two sides have until 9:00 Sydney time on Friday (23:00 GMT, Thursday) to decide whether to accept the commission's recommendations, ahead of a scheduled hearing later in the day.
• The tribunal has the power to halt the strikes, which escalated to two 24-hour work stoppages over the weekend.