A STRIKE by maintenance workers at Collie Power Station could threaten electricity supplies.
This means that power supplies to 350,000 homes in Perth and across the South West are at risk.
"We have been negotiating in good faith for four months, and we are asking for a pay rise over the next three years that is actually beneath the level of inflation," Mr Reeve said.
The maintenance workers stopped work at 6am on Tuesday and are refusing to go back to work until management from Transfield Worley Power Services, which operate and maintain the station, agree to negotiate with them over an enterprise bargaining agreement.
The stoppage follows four months of negotiations between the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and plant operator Transfield Worley over a new Enterprise Bargaining Agreement.
The protected industrial action was endorsed by 100 per cent of union members, in a secret ballot conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission.
"The sticking point seems to be our efforts to ensure the company honours its commitment to compensate our members for being available to attend to accidents and emergencies at the power station.
ETUWA Organiser Brendan Reeve said strike action was always a last resort for the union, but Transfield Worley had left workers with no alternative.
"We have been negotiating in good faith for four months, and we are asking for a pay rise over the next three years that is actually beneath the level of inflation," Mr Reeve said.
"The sticking point seems to be our efforts to ensure the company honours its commitment to compensate our members for being available to attend to accidents and emergencies at the power station.
"Workers are currently paid 10 hours per week of pre-paid overtime, as compensation for always being available to attend to accidents and emergencies at the end of their shifts.
"However, due to the quality of work of our members, there are very few accidents or emergencies, and workers only work an average of 2.5 hours of overtime each week.
"Unfortunately, what we have seen in recent times is management using the prepaid overtime hours for ordinary day-to-day work.
"They are effectively getting our members to work additional hours, for no additional pay, and reducing the compensation workers receive for being available to attend to accidents and emergencies.
"What we are seeking in this new EBA is to protect this compensation, so that it cannot be eroded by management on the job.
"By the end of a new three year agreement, we want to transition to a situation where our members receive 2.5 hours of pre-paid overtime each week, which matches the 2.5 hours currently required to attend to accidents and emergencies, without any adjustment to their salary."
However, Transfield Worley chief executive officer Gareth Mann disputed the union's version of events saying they were factually incorrect.
"TWPS has been negotiating and bargaining in good faith and is committed to continuing to do so," Mr Mann said.
"Reasonable offers have been made so far, and those offers are in line with current market conditions for the industry sector.
"TWPS is committed, and will continue, to provide a professional service to our client.
"Additionally, there are no current or immediate threats to the electricity supply.
But ETUWA Secretary Les McLaughlan warned that the strike could continue if Transfield wasn't prepared to compromise.
"While we regret the inconvenience power interruptions may cause to the public, we will take whatever action is legally available to us to ensure our members are adequately compensated for the sacrifices made by them and their families.
"This may include a second seven day stoppage, commencing next Tuesday.
