Rig workers meeting a great success

04 February 2010

Workers from five rigs attended a meeting in Fremantle on the 2nd of February to hear reports from AWU/MUA Alliance officials on the many positive developments in the campaign to organise workers in the exploration industry.

Alliance Officials attending the meeting were Ian Bray, Stephen Price, Chris Cain, Allen Wattam, Mahmut Melkic and Glen Williams who all spoke about the need to unite as one and fight for a fair go for rig workers.

Alliance Organisers Glen Williams and Mahmut "Hammer" Melkic reported on the current progress being made on several collective agreement negotiations aimed at improving employment conditions in the industry, delivering decent wage outcomes and improving job security for Alliance members.

Majority union membership on oil rigs

It was also reported that membership of the Alliance continues to grow with many rigs now having a majority of workers as members of the union.

Alliance members were given the opportunity to provide feedback to the officials on a range of issues.

Download and pass around the Rig Worker flyer

Please download the flyer here

Using social networking on the web to communicate between oil rig workers

Of the main concerns to the members present was the need to better communicate between rigs, members and the officials, to improve the flow of information and build a network amongst rig workers.

A great way for members to communicate with each and build networks with others and to discuss issues on their rigs, or to share thoughts and information is to access the Offshore Alliance Facebook page on the net.

Get more information about YOUR union from our webpages

Also you can access information about YOUR union on the Australian Workers' Union  and Maritime Union of Australia web pages.

Other issues raised in the meeting by the members included:

• helicopter safety,
• the need to have Worksafe accredited training and certification for rig workers,
• MSIC cards and
• the West Atlas disaster which highlighted the inherent dangers that offshore workers face on a daily basis.

All of these concerns will be followed up and further report backs will be given at future meetings.

Come to an Offshore Alliance meeting to voice your opinions and make sure you are heard

Whilst the numbers were not what we would have expected, given the activity in the industry and the amount of workers joining the Alliance, regular meetings will continue to be held to keep members informed of how campaign is going and to give everyone an opportunity to voice your opinions and have your voice heard.

We congratulate all of the members who turned up and look forward to seeing even more rig workers at the next meeting.

For more info contact Hammer on 0419 907 035 or mahmut.melkic@awuwa.asn.au or Glenn Williams on 0401 271 740 or glen.williams@mua.org.au