woodside cutting non essential services.......

woodside cutting non essential services....
https://thewest.com.au/business/ene...go-at-woodsides-lng-operations-ng-b881498271z
Coronavirus crisis: Hundreds more jobs go at Woodside’s LNG operations
Sean SmithThe West Australian
Tuesday, 24 March 2020 12:04PM
Sean Smith


Woodside says the cuts were necessary for the group to comply with health and government guidance aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19. Credit: The West Australian
Woodside Petroleum has cut hundreds of more jobs from its gas operations in the North West to deal with tightening health restrictions on coronavirus and the plunge in oil prices.
The company would not put a number on the latest cuts, but unions say up to 500 non-essential, mainly contractors were stood down from Woodside’s Karratha workforce on Monday.
It follows Woodside’s move on Friday to lay off as many as 400 contractors at its offshore sites.
Woodside said the cuts were necessary for the group to comply with health and government guidance aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19.

In order to continue safe and reliable production at Karratha gas plant, while minimising COVID-19 risks, we have informed our workforce at site of plans to reduce or defer non-essential maintenance and refurbishment works,” a spokesperson said.
“This is a difficult decision to take but these are highly unforeseen circumstances.
“Business as usual is not an option, and we need to take extraordinary measures to protect the health and safety of our workforce.”
Last week’s cuts drew the ire of the Australian Workers’ Union, which accused the group of “a brutal act of industrial bastardry”.
The AWU said Woodside’s decision to stand down workers was in stark contrast to its rivals, “who had consulted with employees to minimise the impact of COVID-19 measures by providing additional flexibility and special payments”.
Woodside said today that any contractor worker stood down before the end of their roster cycle would be paid out to the end of their shift