Union attacks Chevron rules
The Electrical Trades Union WA has voiced concern over a workforce management policy it says is restricting Wheatstone workers from accessing facilities in the Onslow town site.
Currently all non-work related visits to Onslow in a site vehicle must be approved by a site manager and come with written justification for the visit.
ETU WA North West organiser Alister Robinson said members had advised the current workforce management policies were so restrictive, many felt they had no option other than to just stay on camp. “The current roster on the Wheatstone Project is 28 days on seven days off which is an extremely long time to be locked up in employer-supplied accommodation,” he said,
“We have been advised by members of the ETU that taxis are not permitted to access camp roads.”
“We are now finding out that employees are now depending on contractors to drop them off on the main access road which in turn is deemed a safety breach as it is a private mine road, seemingly.”
Mr Robinson said the policy was affecting members’ overall mental health and wellbeing.
“The morale on site is very low and accessing the town would raise it,” he said.
“To restrict workers from attending the local community is not only unfair to them but also to the local businesses.”
A spokesman for Bechtel said it remained committed to supporting positive project workforce intersection with local businesses and the community in Onslow.
“Site employees can seek assistance from their employers to travel into Onslow or use project vehicles subject to site manager approval,” he said.
“Additional taxi management measures were recently put in place which led to the development of new agreed access and service protocols with local operators and will come into effect when services resume in the coming weeks.”
Labor Mining and Pastoral Region MLC Stephen Dawson called on Chevron and its contractors to be sensible on the issue.
“The community of Onslow was promised lots from the Wheatstone project yet many locals are scratching their heads wondering if there’ll be any benefits following the State Government’s decision to free Chevron from a commitment to build a workers village in town,” he said. “I’ve spoken to the Shire president and to businesses who welcome workers to the town.”
