Santos workers are continuing to take strike action in South Australia. 

Since late last year, workers at Santos' Point Bonython port in the Upper Spencer Gulf have refused to connect and disconnect certain oil tankers and gas carriers in an attempt to squeeze their employer for a new EBA. 

The Australian Workers Union (AWU) wants a 5 per cent pay increase, backdated to July 2020. 

AWU South Australia assistant secretary Gary Henderson says the stoppages should cost Santos. 

“It could have an impact on domestic gas supply and commercial supply as well because there's not as much gas getting out to the domestic and commercial market because of the work stoppages put in place at Point Bonython and the Cooper Basin,” he told the ABC. 

“I don't think it will have an impact on prices. I think it will have an impact on how much money Santos make.”

Santos uses Port Bonython to export oil and gas. Its workers are striking alongside other Santos employees in the Cooper Basin, who are also negotiating for a new enterprise bargaining agreement (EBA). 

The AWU says it has been negotiating for about 18 months, with two enterprise agreements having been knocked back by the workers.

Santos says it can mitigate any impacts the industrial action might have on supplies. 

“Santos is committed to delivering safe and reliable gas to our customers and have contingency plans in the event of industrial action to limit any impact to supply,” a spokesperson said. 

“We are committed to ongoing negotiations in good faith with the AWU, AMWU [Australian Manufacturers Workers Union] and employee representatives in order to reach a mutually agreeable outcome for all parties.”