Perth, Australia – Union members overwhelmingly voted in favor of striking at Woodside Energy’s Pluto LNG 2 facility, according to the Offshore Alliance, signaling rising tensions over pay and working conditions in Western Australia’s liquefied natural gas sector. The results, posted on the union’s Facebook page on Thursday, showed that 99% of members supported industrial action.

In parallel, approximately 400 members of the Electrical Trades Union also voted at nearly 99% in favor of protected industrial action (PIA), a legally sanctioned strike, the union confirmed. Workers’ representatives are now set to consult with members to determine the specific form and timing of the planned industrial action.

Potential Impact on Pluto LNG 2 Operations

A strike could significantly slow construction at Pluto LNG 2, a 5-million-metric-ton expansion of Woodside’s existing facility in the Pilbara region. Woodside aims to ship its first LNG cargo from Pluto 2 in the second half of 2026, raising concerns about potential delays.

The Offshore Alliance, which includes the Maritime Union of Australia and the Australian Workers Union, is demanding a 30% pay increase, citing that workers at Pluto 2 are earning 30% less per hour than their counterparts previously earned at Chevron’s Wheatstone LNG project. Union leaders noted that salary negotiations with contractor Bechtel have reached an impasse, making industrial action the next step.

Legal and Procedural Developments

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) approved the ballot in late November, following applications by the unions for protected industrial action. At the time of reporting, ballot results had not yet been published on the FWC website. Bechtel had previously opposed the ballot, arguing that the Offshore Alliance was overstepping into traditional onshore construction roles.

This development highlights ongoing labor disputes in Australia’s energy and LNG sector, emphasizing tensions between multinational contractors and local unionized workers over pay equity, labor conditions, and project timelines.