Workers on a major offshore resource project in WA have received tens of thousands of dollars extra from their employer, after the AMWU argued they were being substantially underpaid.

The testing technicians from Stork Technical Services, were working on the refurbishment of the Rankin B gas project off the coast of Karratha when they realised they were being paid short of the site agreement.

Delegate Jon King said they were surprised to learn there was a collective agreement in place on the site – having been told by their management prior to the departure there was none.

“When we got there the welders and scaffolders told us there was an EBA in place. We saw the agreement (Western Australia and Northern Territory Offshore Construction Projects Agreement 2011-2015) and then we took it to the AMWU.

“They got together and spoke with the bosses and not long after we were put on the correct rate. In the end we were more than $2,000 better off each week and we received back pay. It was a great win.”

AMWU WA Secretary Steve McCartney praised the delegate for identifying the issue and bringing it to the attention of the union.

“Jon has done the right thing, he’s known his rights, identified an issue and brought it to our attention.

“The AMWU has a strong union collective agreement in place with Stork Technical Services, that ensures our members are able to ‘jump on’ to construction agreements,” he said.

“That being the case; we brought it to the attention of the management and they’ve accepted the underpayment and rectified the problem.

“This is an excellent outcome and shows the value of a good union collective agreement combined with strong representation.”