Australian unions plan to extend Inpex LNG strike beyond June 23

Australia's Offshore Alliance announced on Monday that it will notify Inpex about its plans to extend industrial action beyond June 23. This comes a day after Australia's workplace tribunal denied Inpex its request to stop strikes at its Ichthys LNG Project.

In a recent Facebook post, the Offshore Alliance (composed of the Australian Workers Union and the Maritime Union of Australia) attributed the plan for strike extension to the "intransigent conduct" of Inpex's Industrial Relations Manager.

The union group posted on Facebook that INPEX had failed to meet deadlines set by the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to "lock in" the jobs of its members.

Inpex didn't immediately respond to an inquiry for comment.

The Fair Work Commission, Australia's workplace tribunal (FWC), rejected Inpex on Sunday's claim that an Australian shutdown would harm the economy because of?lost revenue from exports and could lead to dangerous blackouts.

Since last year, the 'Offshore Alliance' has been leading negotiations with Inpex. The first strike threat was made in April. The Electrical Trades Union is also a part of the strike. They are seeking better pay, career advancement and job security.

Ichthys is responsible for about 10% of Australia's LNG supply, which is the second largest LNG exporter in the world. (Reporting and editing by Sonia Cheema in Bengaluru)

(source: Reuters)