Our Story

The Offshore Alliance was established in October 2018 to bring together the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA). The Offshore Alliance has already delivered excellent bargaining results for members – and has significantly improved the pay and conditions for workers in offshore oil and gas during the last 5 years. The Offshore Alliance is a unique opportunity for two powerful unions to join forces and represent the workers in the offshore oil and gas industry. Offshore Alliance membership gives you access to two of the most powerful blue-collar trade unions in Australia.

As an Offshore Alliance member, you received expert advice and representation on your workplace rights when you need it. Our organising team is backed by the legal expertise of two of the oldest and most industrially progressive unions in Australia.

Prior to the establishment of the Offshore Alliance oil and gas companies and contractors set about driving down the wages, conditions, job security, and occupational health and safety standards of workers in the hydrocarbon sector. That’s why workers in the offshore oil and gas industry have come together to fight for:

  • Union Negotiated Enterprise Agreements with union wages and conditions to replace dodgy, sub-standard (non-union) baseline agreements and common-law contracts that haven’t been negotiated by or voted on by workers;
  • Permanent jobs for workers who are employed on regular rosters;
  • No compromise to occupational health and safety standards; and
  • Payment for all inductions, training, and medicals undertaken by workers in our union negotiated EBA’s
  • The construction and commissioning of new oil and gas projects.

Since our establishment, we have delivered massive changes for the oil and gas industry. Our achievements include the following bargaining outcomes:

  • 4,000 new members since the establishment of the Offshore Alliance in October 2018;
  • The negotiation of 85 EBA’s across all key industry sectors including Production, Maintenance, Construction, Aircraft Maintenance, Catering, ROV, Inspection, Offshore Drilling, Surveyors, Chemists, Marine;
  • EBA’s with all Tier 1 oil and gas companies including INPEX, Shell, Woodside, Chevron
  • EBA’s with Tier 2 oil and gas companies Santos and Jadestone;
  • Locking in union standard EBA’s across all sectors of the West Coast oil and gas industry;

If you work in offshore oil and gas it pays to belong to the Offshore Alliance.

Be a part of our community.

Join The Offshore Alliance

Stronger together.