After months of talks the two unions have signed a memorandum of understanding to join forces to recruit and organise the multi-billion dollar industry, which has only about 1,400 union members from a 5,000 strong offshore workforce.

The Alliance will launch a joint organising campaign across the industry, targeting major offshore operators including Woodside, Exxon/Mobil, BHPBillition, Newfield Exploration, Apache Energy, Chevron, Diamond Offshore, Vanguard and other employers including labour hire companies and service industry providers. Union officials involved in the campaign will have dual union accreditation.

The Alliance will be active in all major offshore regions within Australia including Timor Sea, North West Shelf, Bass Strait, the Great Australia Bight and the PNG to Australia pipeline.

The two unions have battled for about 30 years over the industry, a move which has alienated a large number of potential members. However, the agreement provides for the MUA and the AWU to work closely together so that all job classifications have either AWU or MUA coverage.

MUA National Secretary Padraig Crumlin said recent incidents within the offshore industry that resulted in workers being killed and a range of major incidents highlighted the need for a tough stance on safety.

"The Alliance is committed to improving OH&S standards across the industry,'' he said. "Together we will have more resources to detect and protect our members from sub-standard OH&S practices.''