Workers Strike at Inpex Ichthys Gas Plant After Pay Talks Stall

Workers at the Inpex Ichthys LNG facility walked off the job Tuesday morning after pay negotiations stalled. A two-hour work stoppage is scheduled for Tuesday evening at the site near Darwin. The Offshore Alliance, which includes the Australian Workers' Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, has sought annual pay rises of 3 per cent along with improved conditions.

The union said significant progress occurred last week but that the company fell short on several key demands.

Background on the Operation The Ichthys facility processes gas from offshore fields in Western Australian waters and sends it through an 890-kilometre underwater pipeline to Darwin for liquefaction. Production began in 2019, and the plant handles up to 9.3 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas annually.

The Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association stated that the union's demands would raise labour costs by 50 to 60 per cent and push average salaries above $500,000 a year. Union representatives and the company have been contacted for further comment.

In a social media statement, the Offshore Alliance said Inpex earns billions from its Australian workforce and that protected industrial action would continue until an agreement is reached. Both onshore and offshore workers are participating in the action.