Chevron and unions in talks to avert Australia LNG strike
BBC By Mariko Oi
Business reporter
Chevron and unions representing workers at two major liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia are holding last-ditch talks ahead of planned industrial action.
Workers are set to start a series of work stoppages from Thursday in the dispute over pay and conditions.
If their terms are not met, they plan to escalate to a total strike.
Concerns about the stoppages recently pushed up prices in natural gas markets.
The US energy giant's Gorgon and Wheatstone plants in Western Australia account for more than 5% of global LNG capacity.
Australia's industrial arbitrator, the Fair Work Commission, has been hosting mediation talks between Chevron and the Offshore Alliance - which is a partnership of two unions representing energy workers.
"Lower level strikes looks set to start tomorrow, which will add inefficiencies but are unlikely to materially impact global supply," energy analyst, Saul Kavonic told the BBC.
