Union says workers at Inpex LNG facility will strike from May 27

The Offshore Alliance says workers at INPEX’s Ichthys LNG facility in northern Australia will begin protected industrial action on May 27 after bargaining over pay and conditions stalled.

Reuters reported on May 18 that the union served strike notice at the site, which is one of Australia’s major liquefied natural gas projects and a key exporter to Asian buyers. S&P Global said INPEX confirmed it had received notice of the action.

INPEX said on May 18 that it would continue good-faith bargaining through the Fair Work Commission process.

The union has said the action could run from May 27 to June 10, according to later Reuters-sourced coverage. The exact operational impact on production or cargo schedules has not yet been confirmed.

Ichthys LNG is a major supplier of gas to overseas markets, including Japan, so any disruption could draw attention from buyers in Asia.

The next key point is whether the parties reach a deal before the protected industrial action begins.