Asia-Pacific plant closures could offset new supply streams
Refinery closures in Asia-Pacific are likely to offset a wave of new supply streams into the region.
The pandemic accelerated a wave of refinery closures, with several regional refiners forced to close or review operations due to poor refining margins.
BP’s plans to shut Australia’s largest refinery in Kwinana and Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp’s plans to shutter its Tabangao-based refinery in the Philippines, with several other potential closures on the horizon.
According to market sources, this will help offset a wave of new supply streams, especially of gasoil, entering the market, sources said.
Thomas Mayor (MUA National Indigenous Officer)
Mich-Elle Myers (MUA Women’s Officer)
Aarin Moon (MUA Youth Organiser)
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Industrial action on cards for Offshore Alliance members at Applus+
Offshore Alliance members have overwhelmingly voted to push ahead with industrial action to further bargaining claims that will improve job security, rostering and conditions at Applus+.
The Offshore Alliance, comprised of The Australian Workers’ Union and the Maritime Union of Australia, was forced to seek approval for the action from the Fair Work Commission after Applus+ repeatedly rejected the Alliance’s key enterprise agreement claims.
The latest decision comes after months of stalling by Applus+ which had to be forced into commencing bargaining with around 100 of its employees who perform work on Woodside facilities – both onshore and offshore – by the Offshore Alliance through an application to the Fair Work Commission.
Union Protests Aimed at Shipping Giant with Regard to Staffing Agreements
Work Ceases as Row Continues to Simmer
AUSTRALIA – It appears the ongoing row between the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) and the A P Moller Maersk group is continuing unabated. According to the union last year Maersk Supply Service sought to have its members paid international rates, something that was dismissed out of hand.
The MUA says subsequently the company then moved to engage foreign crews to replace the Australian crew even though the vessel concerned was still working in Western Australia. It accused Maersk of using cost mitigation initiatives, including replacing Australian workers on union agreements with cheaper overseas workers, to increase profits to improve operating earnings by 25%.
Border bans mean strikes hit harder: employers
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Resources employers are demanding greater barriers to industrial action due to concerns coronavirus restrictions and states hard borders will exacerbate the impact of strikes on major projects.
The Australian Mines and Metals Association has called on Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter to increase the notices for industrial action from a maximum seven days to at least two weeks, in line with quarantine periods, and ensure the tribunal can consider pandemic issues that would make it difficult for employers to respond to a strike.
Woodside s Pluto onshore gas plant in WA is one of the sites that could be disrupted by strike action.