Earlier this year, Chevron refused to negotiate with the MUA for a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA) for offshore workers. It has now lodged a Federal Court damages claim for $20 million against the WA branch of the MUA over strike action in 2012.
Chevron has blamed the union for cost blowouts at its Gorgon gas project on Barrow Island, off the WA coast.
MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin has told the International Transport Worker's Federation congress in Bulgaria that the island could be declared a "port of convenience" if the union is excluded from it.
A "port of convenience" designation applies where health and safety standards or working conditions are below those considered acceptable by international transport unions.
In comments reported by Workplace Express, Mr Crumlin claimed Chevron was suing the MUA because workers on the job were ensuring occupational health and safety standards were met.
"Employers need to clearly decide whether they want to work with unions - and we'll be there - or against unions - and we'll be there as well," he reportedly said.
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