LNG shipments raise union alarm

By MUA news -

Australian unions back campaign for Timorese crew on LNG tankers, while raising security and safety concerns at the port

The Maritime Union has joined UnionsNT to demand US based multi-national ConocoPhillips help provide Timorese jobs and training on the multi-billion dollar shipments of Timorese LNG out of Darwin's Wickham Point, due to get under way this week.

Timorese workers yesterday protested their exclusion from the export of LNG, inviting Australian unions to mount a joint campaign. The first of the ConocoPhillips shipments of Timor gas to Japan was scheduled to leave Darwin on the Pacific Notus tanker this week. But no Timorese have been employed to crew the vessel. To date Conoco Phillips have refused to meet with the unions.

"We've been in contact with the Timorese federation of unions and the maritime union over there and we've promised them our support," said UnionsNT spokesperson Didge McDonald. "Unemployment is high in Timor. About half the workers are underemployed or without a job. We're calling on the NT Government to get behind us on this."

MUA national organiser Mick Killick said Australian maritime workers were committed to seeing the Timorese included in the crew: "We've got young Timorese workers training and jobs in the offshore industry in the past and we intend to do it again," he said.

Meanwhile UnionsNT and the Maritime Union are raising serious concerns over port security and safety at Wickham point LNG facility with the NT Government.

Timorese and Australian labour representatives will be meeting in Dili in on January 16 for talks on LNG and other issues.

Contact: Mick Killick, MUA, tel: 0417 418 509

(Timorese maritime union media release can be downloaded below)

Download more info:
Timorese media release (pdf file)

For further information

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