On May 10, 2025, the Offshore Alliance (OA) posted a bold announcement to Facebook declaring their “laser focus” on fixing what they describe as “substandard pay and conditions” for workers on Bechtel’s Pluto 2 project. While the rhetoric was fiery—laced with accusations against other unions and promises of strong action—the post raises more questions than it answers, especially when weighed against the Offshore Alliance’s own recent history and the facts surrounding the original agreement.

Let’s unpack it.

The Missing Truth: Who Signed Off On Pluto 2?

The OA distances itself from the existing Pluto 2 Greenfields Agreement, claiming it had “nothing to do with the current agreement.” But a letter dated 29 July 2021, signed by four union secretaries including Brad Gandy of the AWU WA Branch—one of the core parties in the Offshore Alliance—shows otherwise.

In the letter addressed to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA and Bechtel, the AWU (alongside the AMWU, CFMEU, and ETU) participated in active negotiations around wage rates and conditions for Pluto 2. Far from being outsiders to the agreement, the AWU and its partners were directly involved in shaping its terms. The letter itself disputes the use of outdated wage rates and makes counter-proposals—but nowhere does the AWU reject participation in the deal.

So, for the Offshore Alliance to now claim they had “nothing to do” with the agreement is not just misleading—it’s strategically dishonest.

Where Were They for the Last 3½ Years?

The OA’s post claims that workers on Pluto 2 have been on rates “1/3 worse than Wheatstone onshore construction rates in 2017.” That’s true—and tragic. But the glaring question is: where has the Offshore Alliance been this whole time?

Despite forming years ago and being closely tied to the AWU—the very union that claims legal coverage over these workers—the OA was silent for the bulk of the agreement’s life. Only now, as the agreement nears expiry and new bargaining approaches, do they step in with heavy branding, militant tone, and promises of redemption.

This reeks of opportunism, not solidarity.

Pointing Fingers While Cutting Deals

The OA’s post takes potshots at the AMWU over a recent deal on CO2 Gorgon, but fails to acknowledge its own history of signing off on substandard agreements. Under the banner of the AWU, the OA has been actively involved in:

• Wood Group’s Brownfields Maintenance Agreement, which cut tradespeople’s hourly rates by $3.50/hour
• Agreements with Programmed and ALTRAD, which slashed casual loadings from 25% to 15% and reduced long service leave entitlements

In these deals, the Offshore Alliance and AWU not only undercut existing conditions, but also locked out other unions and extracted membership dues through exclusive, employer-friendly agreements.

It’s hard to reconcile this track record with their sudden moral outrage over Pluto 2.

The Bigger Picture: PR vs. Worker Power

The real danger here isn’t just hypocrisy—it’s the erosion of trust in unionism.

When a union group like the Offshore Alliance can pretend, they had no role in a failing agreement, then show up years later acting as saviours, it sends a dangerous message: that branding matters more than bargaining, and that historical facts can be rewritten to suit the moment.

Pluto 2 workers deserve a strong agreement. They also deserve honest representation, not spin-doctoring from a group more focused on Facebook posts than consistent, accountable organising.

Final Thought

The Offshore Alliance says they’re now “laser focused” on fixing the mess at Pluto 2. Good. Let’s hold them to it.

But let’s also remember: this mess didn’t appear in a vacuum—and some of those now waving the cleanup banner were at the table when it was made.