15 January 2007

 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.