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☆ Pilots at Qantas' unit halt planned two-day strike ahead of further talks
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Rishav Chatterjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AFAP on Friday said that Network Aviation pilots will stop work on Wednesday and Thursday in a bid to negotiate wages. Australia's industrial relations tribunal, the Fair Works Commission (FWC), presided over a series of talks between pilots and the airline on Monday. AFAP members – who make up 90% of the pilot group at Network Aviation – won't be engaging in protected action until next week's bargaining sessions are completed, the pilots' union said. Meanwhile, Qantas expressed disappointment over the union choosing to "cause disruption and uncertainty" by threatening the strike, a few days before a meeting with the FWC. The airline will continue to work with the FWC over coming weeks to seek a resolution, it added.

Persons: Loren Elliott, AFAP, –, Tim Waterer, FWC, Rishav Chatterjee, Ayushman Ojha, Mrigank Dhaniwala Organizations: Qantas, Kingsford Smith International Airport, REUTERS, Pilots, Network Aviation, Qantas Airways, Australian Federation of Pilots, Qantas Group, Fair Works Commission, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Bengaluru

A general view of Chevron's Wheatstone LNG facility in Pilbara coast, Western Australia, as seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on September 8, 2023. Chevron/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Negotiations over a stalled pay and conditions deal between Chevron and unions at its liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities in Australia made progress on Friday, but fell short of sealing an agreement to end months of labour disputes at the major export sites. Friday's talks are the second round being mediated by the FWC within the past month. The unions halted weeks of strikes in late September at the facilities that supply around 6% of the world's LNG after an earlier round of talks produced a deal. Weeks later, however, the unions accused Chevron of reneging on certain commitments and said they would resume strikes on Oct. 19.

Persons: Friday's, Weeks, Lewis Jackson, Susanna R, Alasdair Pal, Miral Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australia, Chevron, reneging, Europe, London

Night-shift workers at Chevron's Gorgon and Wheatstone facilities voted to restart strikes in the afternoon meeting, the Offshore Alliance, a coalition of two unions, said in a statement. The unions accuse the U.S. oil giant of reneging on a deal that ended strikes last month. Reuters reported on Thursday, the bulk of workers at the facilities had voted to strike. Chevron must be given seven business days notice before strikes can begin and unions said they plan to file the notice on Monday. A union representative who declined to be named said there are no talks currently scheduled with Chevron.

Persons: Wheatstone, “, Brad Gandy, Nilutpal, Lewis Jackson, Mark Potter, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Offshore Alliance, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, U.S, Bengaluru, Sydney

Chevron/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSummaryCompanies Strikes end at Gorgon, Wheatstone LNG operationsUnions, Chevron accept proposals from industrial umpireUnions pushed Chevron to match Woodside pay dealSYDNEY, Sept 22 (Reuters) - An Australian union alliance on Friday called off strikes at Chevron's (CVX.N) two major local liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, agreeing to resolve disputes that had threatened to disrupt around 7% of global LNG supplies. The union alliance and Chevron accepted proposals on pay and conditions from the country's industrial arbitrator for the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG facilities, and workers suspended strikes that began two weeks ago. "The Offshore Alliance will now work with Chevron to finalise the drafting of the agreement and members will soon cease current industrial action," Offshore Alliance spokesperson Brad Gandy said in a statement. YEARS-LONG CAMPAIGNThe deal caps a years-long campaign by the Offshore Alliance for higher pay and better conditions at major Western Australian LNG sites. A 2022 agreement with Japan's Inpex at its Ichthys LNG operation set a benchmark for subsequent talks with Shell, Woodside and Chevron.

Persons: Brad Gandy, Japan's, Saul Kavonic, Yin, Renju Jose, Lewis Jackson, Alasdair Pal, Florence Tan, Shri Navaratnam, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Unions, Woodside, SYDNEY, Offshore Alliance, Woodside Energy, Shell, Energy, North West Shelf, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australian, Chevron's, Woodside, Chevron, Australia, Sydney, Singapore

[1/2] A general view of Chevron's Wheatstone LNG facility in Pilbara coast, Western Australia, as seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on September 8, 2023. The union alliance and Chevron accepted proposals on pay and conditions from the country's industrial arbitrator for the Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG facilities, and workers were set to end strikes that began two weeks ago. "The Offshore Alliance will now work with Chevron to finalise the drafting of the agreement and members will soon cease current industrial action," Offshore Alliance spokesperson Brad Gandy said in a statement. No LNG shipments were disrupted by the industrial action, even after a fault at the Wheatstone plant. Energy analyst Saul Kavonic said the deal should see an end to most industrial action offshore Western Australia with union agreements, which last for around four years, now in place for most offshore LNG sites.

Persons: Brad Gandy, Saul Kavonic, Renju Jose, Lewis Jackson, Alasdair Pal, Florence Tan, Shri Navaratnam, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Unions, Woodside, SYDNEY, Offshore Alliance, Woodside Energy, Energy, North West Shelf, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australian, Chevron's, Australia, Sydney, Singapore

[1/2] A general view of Chevron's Wheatstone LNG facility in Pilbara coast, Western Australia, as seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on September 8, 2023. The agreement would resolve a wage fight that has roiled global gas markets since early August, amid fears strikes would disrupt output from Chevron's Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG projects that produce around 7% of the world's LNG supply. On Thursday, the Fair Work Commission (FWC), which has the power to impose a settlement, said it "strongly recommended" parties accept its proposals to end work stoppages. Chevron accepted arbitration terms late on Thursday to resolve all outstanding issues and finalise the agreements with the unions. No LNG shipments were disrupted by the industrial action, even after a fault at the Wheatstone plant.

Persons: Brad Gandy, Renju Jose, Lewis Jackson, Alasdair Pal, Shri Navaratnam, Sonali Paul Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, SYDNEY, Offshore Alliance, Woodside Energy, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Australian, Chevron's, Australia, Sydney

☆ Australia tribunal pushes Chevron, LNG unions to resolve wage fight
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

A 3D printed natural gas pipeline is placed in front of displayed Chevron logo in this illustration taken Feb. 8, 2022. The commission's recommendations came a day after talks between Chevron and a union alliance over strikes at the Wheatstone and Gorgon facilities ended without a deal. "I strongly recommend that the parties adopt the recommendations ... which will hopefully resolve these disputes," FWC Commissioner Bernie Riordan said. The tribunal has the power to halt the strikes, which escalated to two 24-hour work stoppages over the weekend. Riordan said both Chevron and the unions "spent countless hours at the negotiating table" and the talks resulted in an agreement on the majority of provisions.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Bernie Riordan, Riordan, Saul Kavonic, Renju Jose, Alasdair Pal, Sonali Paul Organizations: Chevron, REUTERS, SYDNEY, Thomson Locations: Australia, Sydney, Western Australia

☆ Bear spotted at Disney World prompts closure of parts of Magic Kingdom
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Natasha Chen | Marlon Sorto | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —A bear that prompted partial closures at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on Monday was captured without incident and is being relocated, according to a news release from Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Nearly a dozen attractions were closed on Monday at the time authorities were trying to locate the bear at Magic Kingdom, according to the My Disney Experience app. WESHIt was not clear if the closures, or how many, were related to the bear sighting. CNN has reached out to Disney for more details about specific closures but has not heard back yet. There are three other major parks at the resort: EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom.

Persons: ” FWC, FWC, Sawyer, Craig Williams, Disney, “, Shawn Nottingham, Carlos Suarez, Melissa Alonso, Kate Conerly Organizations: CNN, Walt Disney World’s, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Ocala National Forest, Disney, Walt Disney World Railroad, Liberty Square, Hall, Presidents, Haunted, Liberty, WESH, Hollywood Studios, Animal Locations: Ocala, Magic, Caribbean, Frontierland, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom

Talks between Chevron and the workers' unions broke down last week without a deal, and the industrial action is scheduled to escalate to two weeks of 24-hour stoppages on Thursday. Chevron would have to demonstrate a sustained attempt to negotiate with unions for the tribunal to rule in its favour, he added. Strikes could actually demonstrate workers were so committed to bargaining that they were willing to stop work and forgo wages, she added. "Strike action is a legitimate form of action, workers have the right to do this," she said. Any party involved can contest a FWC ruling and seek judicial review, Charles Power, partner at law firm Holding Redlich said, although a court would not again hear the facts of the case.

Persons: Australia's, Steve Purvinas, Purvinas, Shell, Shae, McCrystal, Charles Power, Redlich, Lewis Jackson, Renju Jose, Alasdair Pal, Miral Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, CAN, Virgin Australia, Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers ’ Association, Virgin, Offshore Alliance, Shell, University of Sydney, Thomson Locations: Wheatstone, Western Australia, Federal, Shell, Woodside, Inpex, Sydney

A view of Chevron-operated Gorgon project on Barrow Island, Australia, as seen in this undated handout image obtained by Reuters on September 8, 2023. “Unfortunately, following numerous meetings and conciliation sessions with the Fair Work Commission, no agreement has been reached as the unions are asking for terms significantly above the market," a Chevron spokesperson said in a statement. "Until we have some case law, until we get some Fair Work Commission decisions on how the laws work, we don't know (how long the process will take)," said Shae McCrystal, a professor of labour law at the University of Sydney Law School. A subsidiary of airline Virgin Australia made the only other application under these laws in June, local media reported. No talks are scheduled between unions and Chevron, according to the FWC website.

Persons: Shae McCrystal, Roushni Nair, Lewis Jackson, Jamie Freed, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Fair, University of Sydney Law School, Virgin Australia, Offshore Alliance, Thomson Locations: Chevron, Barrow Island, Australia, Chevron Australia, Melbourne, U.S, Bengaluru, Sydney

☆ Chevron begins mediation talks to avert Australia LNG strike
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Chevron logo is pictured after the U.S. government granted a six-month license allowing Chevron to boost oil output in U.S.-sanctioned Venezuela, in Caracas, Venezuela, December 2, 2022. Reuters first reported on Friday that Chevron had filed a request for mediation with the FWC. Any industrial action would disrupt Australia's LNG exports and increase competition for the super-chilled fuel, forcing Asian buyers to outbid European buyers to attract LNG cargo. Reuters GraphicsGorgon, Australia's second-largest LNG plant, has an export capacity of 15.6 million tonnes a year and Wheatstone 8.9 million. A similar dispute between the union alliance and Woodside-operated (WDS.AX) North West Shelf LNG facility, Australia's biggest, was resolved last month after workers approved a deal.

Persons: Gaby Oraa, Australia's, Renju Jose, Lewis Jackson, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Chevron, U.S, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Offshore Alliance, South, Wheatstone, West Shelf, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Caracas, Australia, Western Australia, Perth, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Woodside, Sydney

☆ Chevron, Woodside in talks to avert strikes at Australian LNG operations
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Concerns over potential industrial action at three Australian LNG operations - North West Shelf, Gorgon and Wheatstone - sent European gas prices to a nearly 2-month high on Wednesday. Any industrial action would disrupt Australia's LNG exports and increase competition for the super-chilled fuel, forcing Asian buyers to outbid European buyers to attract LNG cargoes. About 99% of workers at offshore platforms that supply gas to the Woodside-operated North West Shelf LNG plant, Australia's biggest LNG plant, have voted in favour of a planned strike. Chevron said it was reviewing the applications from the union to Australia's independent Fair Work Commission (FWC) over planned strikes at its Gorgon and Wheatstone LNG plants. Gorgon, the country's second largest LNG plant, has capacity of 15.6 million metric tons a year and Wheatstone 8.9 million.

Persons: David Gray, Gorgon, Wheatstone, Brad Gandy, Woodside, Renju Jose, Jacqueline Wong, Sonali Paul Organizations: Woodside Petroleum, REUTERS, Northwest Shelf, Chevron, Woodside Energy Group, North West, North West Shelf, LNG, West Shelf, Offshore Alliance, Shell, Wheatstone, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, SYDNEY, Japan, Woodside, Chevron

☆ Australia hikes minimum wage as living costs surge
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Stella Qiu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Steven Saphore/File PhotoSYDNEY, June 2 (Reuters) - Australia will raise the minimum wage by 5.75% from July 1 as families grapple with soaring living costs, a decision that businesses and some economists say risks further stoking inflation and interest rates. The independent Fair Work Commission (FWC) on Friday decided on a 5.75% pay rise for workers on awards with wages linked to movement in the minimum wage. It also made a technical reclassification for the national minimum wage, which the union says will take the increase to 8.6% for the lowest-paid employees, about 0.7% of the workforce. "Following several recent developments, including the outcome of today's minimum wage decision, we are adding a 25bp hike to our RBA profile in June and another 25bp in July." "Today's increase means these workers can keep their heads above water and not have to cut back even further."

Persons: Steven Saphore, Lin Ong, Philip Lowe, Taylor Nugent, Adam Hatcher, Hatcher, Andrew McKellar, Sally McManus, Stella Qiu, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: REUTERS, RBC Capital Markets, Reserve Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Australian Council of Trade Unions, Thomson Locations: Sydney, Australia, Lincoln

☆ Australian PM says would welcome inflation-matching minimum wage rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-30 | by ( Lewis Jackson | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Changes to the national minimum wage are reviewed annually by the independent Fair Work Commission (FWC), which last year delivered an increase largely in line with inflation. "If the Fair Work Commission makes that decision then I would welcome it, but it is an independent decision of government. The FWC decision, expected in June, also covers minimum wages and conditions for specific industries and occupations, known as awards. Roughly 2.7 million Australians are covered by awards, compared to around 180,000 on the minimum wage. Catherine Birch, a senior economist at ANZ, said the FWC would likely lift the minimum wage further than award wages, given the latter's broader reach.

☆ A nature videographer flying a drone spotted an endangered loggerhead sea turtle struggling in the red tide. He quickly alerted wildlife officials who showed up to save it.
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-18 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

After he quickly alerted officials, the turtle was rescued and is still recovering at a rehab facility. The rehab facility confirmed the turtle had been exposed to red tide, a toxic algae bloom. Upon zooming in with his drone, it was obvious to McCarthy that the turtle needed help, and needed it fast. He knew the video would help him show that the turtle needed help. FWC notified Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which was located nearby and has a dedicated rescue and rehab facility for marine life.

Share this -Link copiedFloridians are livestreaming Hurricane Ian on TikTok Floridians are giving TikTok users a front-row seat to Hurricane Ian. Storm surge map, they didn’t have a color for 12 to 15 feet," he said about the historic levels of storm surge expected near where Ian is expected to make landfall. Share this -Link copiedA view of Hurricane Ian from the International Space Station A view of Hurricane Ian from the International Space Station, on Monday. Share this -Link copiedSatellite images show Hurricane Ian approaching Florida Hurricane Ian over the Gulf of Mexico early Wednesday. Share this -Link copiedIan expected to strengthen until making landfall, officials say Hurricane Ian is still forecast to strengthen until the hurricane makes landfall in Florida, the National Hurricane Center said.

Storm surge map, they didn’t have a color for 12 to 15 feet," he said about the historic levels of storm surge expected near where Ian is expected to make landfall. Share this -Link copiedA view of Hurricane Ian from the International Space Station A view of Hurricane Ian from the International Space Station, on Monday. “We are extremely concerned about the potential impacts Hurricane Ian may have on phosphate facilities around the state,” Whitlock added. Share this -Link copiedIan strengthens into Category 4 storm Hurricane Ian has strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it advances upon Florida's west coast. Share this -Link copiedSatellite images show Hurricane Ian approaching Florida Hurricane Ian over the Gulf of Mexico early Wednesday.

Share this -Link copiedView of Hurricane Ian from International Space Station View of Hurricane Ian from the International Space Station. Share this -Link copiedIan on track to make landfall in Florida as 'catastrophic' Category 4 storm Hurricane Ian is strengthening as it nears Florida's west coast, officials said. “We are extremely concerned about the potential impacts Hurricane Ian may have on phosphate facilities around the state,” Whitlock added. Share this -Link copiedIan strengthens into Category 4 storm Hurricane Ian has strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it advances upon Florida's west coast. Share this -Link copiedSatellite images show Hurricane Ian approaching Florida Hurricane Ian over the Gulf of Mexico early on Wednesday morning.

A Florida Keys boat captain was arrested on a manslaughter charge Thursday in connection with a deadly parasailing trip this year, officials said. An arrest warrant accused the captain, Daniel Gavin Couch, 49, of not checking the weather before the May 30 trip and then cutting the towline to his passengers’ parasail during strong winds. Couch was arrested Thursday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on a warrant for one charge of manslaughter and five counts of violation of commercial parasailing statutes, the commission said. The FWC said Couch hadn’t recently checked weather conditions before he took 12 passengers on the parasailing trip May 30. Cutting the towline was called a “gross and flagrant decision” that severed the group’s only means of safe return.

Şarpele a primit numele “Dos” – “Doi”, în limba spaniolă -, iar Kay Rogers a dezvăluit ulterior pe Facebook că alimentaţia este cea mai mare problemă cu care se confruntă reptila. “Am încercat mai multe lucruri pentru a îl hrăni, dar şarpelui îi este greu să îşi coordoneze cele două capete”, a scris ea pe această reţea de socializare. Familia Rogers a contactat The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Research Institute, ai cărui angajaţi au acceptat să îngrijească acest exemplar special de şarpe. Şarpele a fost preluat de Florida Wildlife Conservation (FWC) şi transportat la un adăpost pentru animale administrat de această instituţie. În 2018, o viperă cu două capete a fost capturată pe o proprietate din statul american Virginia, iar un pui bicefal de şarpe cu clopoţei a fost văzut în statul New Jersey în 2019.

Persons: Kay Rogers, Olive, Familia Rogers, Şarpele, monozigoţi, clopoţei Organizations: Agerpres, Facebook, The, The Florida Fish, Wildlife, Research Institute, Kay Rogers, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram Locations: american Florida, Palm Harbor, Dos, The Florida, Florida, Conservation, Statelor Unite, Florida Museum, american Virginia, New Jersey

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