Deep
sea divers working in the offshore oil and gas industry are
celebrating the new year with large pay hikes
negotiated by the MUA.
An enterprise agreement covering around 200 specialist divers
working in the offshore industry mostly in Bass Strait
and off the West Australian coast has won them pay rises of
between 26% and 50% depending on their position.
Although the previous agreement ran until March, union negotiators
led by Ian Bray, WA Branch, Kevin Bracken, Victoria Branch,
and Mick Doleman, national office, were able to capitalise on
the current resources boom to win the divers a raise from January
this year.
The rush for hydrocarbons development has resulted in a worldwide
demand for divers, said Victoria branch secretary Kevin Bracken.
Deep sea divers work in dangerous conditions at depths of up
to 160 metres below surface level in the provision and maintainance
of offshore wells and pipeline.
