Strike action begins at $12bn Woodside project

INDUSTRIAL action has returned to WA's multi-billion LNG industry, as workers last night went on a 48-hour strike at Woodside's $12 billion Pluto project.

Construction at the project could now slow to a crawl over the two days and the workers taking part in the unprotected strike face potential legal action and a fine of up to $22,000.

Workers were angry over Woodside's decision to introduce next month a rotating accommodation system where fly-in, fly-out workers would no longer have a permanent donga to live in but would change after each four-week shift.

Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union assistant secretary in Western Australia Joe McDonald said 1500 workers from Pluto's Gap Ridge Village had last night held a meeting and voted overwhelmingly to take action.

``It was unanimous, 1500 workers at Pluto have just walked off for two days,'' Mr McDonald said.

Woodside said any industrial action would be regrettable and could threaten the reputation of the burgeoning LNG industry.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive James Pearson said the strike was illegal and would send a very negative signal to investors.

``It is disappointing that the workers have decided to flout the law and put at risk a project which is crucial to the state and the nation's economic recovery and future growth,'' Mr Pearson said.