A peak industry body believes the union is preparing to stage strikes similar to those in 2009 and 2010 that cost the sector $750,000 a day. Those strikes forced the industry to agree to a 30% pay rise for MUA members.

Negotiations for the enterprise bargaining agreement between the MUA and the Australian Mines and Metals Association, which is representing the vessel operators, have been running for almost 12 months.

The Fair Work Commission has been chairing conferences since August to help the parties reach a resolution.

The vessel operators had offered a 16.5% wage increase over four years - well above inflation and prevailing increases in other industries.

Their offer did not seek to decrease or remove any existing entitlements and, according to AMMA, addressed the MUA's concerns about foreign labour.

It is understood the MUA is pushing for a 22% rise over four years, down from its original 24% claim.

According to press reports, the union wants employers to exhaust local workforce options before hiring foreign crews and to change the roster from five weeks on, five weeks off to four-on, four-off.

"In late 2013 in proceedings before the Fair Work Commission, the offshore maritime vessel operators presented a generous wage offer and agreement proposal to the MUA," AMMA executive director Richard Berriman said.

"The vessel operators are very disappointed but not surprised by the irresponsible and short-sighted conduct of the MUA.

"The union has effectively rejected the industry's very fair wage offer as well as thwarted the efforts of the commission to work with the parties to resolve the negotiations.

"The union's conduct has been a deliberate, calculated and cynical attempt to construct a series of unreasonable demands and then justify to their rank and file the taking of strike action.

"It is very difficult for employers to bargain ‘in good faith' with the MUA given its disingenuous approach."

Berriman said the MUA's unrealistic claims and strike threats did nothing to make Australia a more attractive place to invest in oil and gas projects.

"Many working Australians might question the motivations of the MUA when their members work six months of the year and earn between $170,000 and $230,000 on average."

Energy News has attempted to contact MUA officials for comment.