The Offshore Alliance frequently touts itself as an “open and democratic union,” championing transparency and collective worker voice. But behind the polished slogans and stylized graphics on its Facebook page lies a very different reality—one where critical voices are erased, dissent is punished, and even union members find themselves locked out for asking legitimate questions. […]
Category: News
Offshore Alliance’s History Undermines Its Own Criticism of Past Agreements
The Offshore Alliance’s current criticism of industrial agreements forged under past frameworks belies its own central role in negotiating and endorsing those very deals. Since 2014, the Alliance—comprised of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA)—has not only cooperated closely with the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and Electrical Trades […]
Call to Arms: Unite for Better Wages and Conditions on Pluto Train 2
To every worker on the Pluto Train 2 Project—This is your call to arms. When Bechtel set up shop on Australian soil, they brought more than just blueprints and bulldozers—they brought a distinctly American way of doing business: profit above all else and the exploitation of workers. With headquarters in Reston, Virginia, and contracts stretching […]
UGL Misses Out on Contract – But Is the Offshore Alliance Telling the Full Story?
The Offshore Alliance (led by the Australian Workers’ Union) took to Facebook on 19 May 2025 to celebrate Monadelphous winning an offshore contract over competitor UGL. In its post, the Alliance hailed the outcome as a victory for unionised labour, claiming the Monadelphous deal was secured “on full union Offshore Hook Up & Commissioning EBA […]
Pluto Train 2 Timeline – The History
Woodside’s Pluto Train 2 Project: A Journey of Delays, Revivals, and Missed Opportunities The Pluto Train 2 project, spearheaded by Woodside Energy, has experienced a dynamic trajectory since its inception. From initial enterprise agreements and unforeseen global challenges to revivals and construction milestones, the project reflects the complexities of large-scale energy developments in the modern […]
AWU Sides With Bosses as ETU Wins Landmark Court Battle for Workers’ Rights on EnergyConnect Project
In a dramatic win for workers and their rights, the militant Electrical Trades Union (ETU) has successfully taken Spanish contractor Elecnor to court over unlawful union access denials, exposing yet another instance of the Australian Workers Union (AWU) siding with employers at the expense of workers’ pay and conditions. The Federal Court ruled that Elecnor […]
AWU – A Union for Bosses, Not Workers
December 2015 Sydney, Australia — Explosive revelations from the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption have rocked the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU), uncovering a web of misconduct that spans years and raises serious questions about the union’s internal governance and its loyalty to the workers it claims to represent. The Commission, established to […]
The Offshore Alliance Spins Blame While Ignoring Broader Union Reform Efforts
On 15 May 2025, the Offshore Alliance took to Facebook to blame long-time union leaders Steve McCartney (AMWU) and Mick Buchan (CFMEU) for the continued exclusion of offshore construction workers on propelled vessels from the Construction Industry Portable Paid Long Service Leave Act 1985 (WA) (CIPLSL). Their post paints a picture of inaction, but it’s a narrative […]
Offshore Alliance’s Letter Confirms What Workers Have Long Suspected
After years of silence, the Alliance suddenly appears — but only now that boots are on the ground. In a previous article, we briefly touched on the history of how the Pluto Train 2 Greenfields Agreement was made. Readers should refer to that first for historical context before continuing. Click Here. For more than three […]
AWU’s Quiet Deals Undermine Construction Workers Nationwide
Unions divided as AWU signs solo agreements with employers, sparking anger across energy and construction sectors The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) is under increasing scrutiny for its role in quietly signing a series of industrial agreements across major construction and energy projects—deals critics say are eroding hard-won pay and conditions for workers across Australia. While […]
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