politics
BHP Port Hedland workers to strike for eight hours after talks fail
Union members at BHP's iron ore export terminal will stop work on Thursday following unsuccessful mediation. The action marks the first such strike in the Pilbara this century.
Jul 14, 2:49 AM·1m read1 source
The Sydney Morning HeraldAudio version
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Workers at BHP's Port Hedland Bulk Export Terminal will stop work for eight hours on Thursday after five hours of bargaining failed to produce an agreement. The Combined Ports Unions, which includes members of the Electrical Trade Union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union and the Western Mine Workers Alliance, organized the action.
A Combined Port Unions spokesperson said the Fair Work Commission participated in the session and that another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 21 July. A BHP spokesperson stated the company has contingency plans to maintain operations and expressed disappointment that the unions proceeded with the planned action.
Background on the dispute Port Hedland ships about $150 million of iron ore daily, with BHP accounting for roughly $120 million of that volume. An ETU WA secretary previously estimated the strike could cost the company between $40 million and $50 million depending on productivity during the stoppage.
The Pilbara workforce has operated largely without unions since the early 1990s. Negotiations for a new enterprise agreement began in 2024 after changes to industrial laws. WA Nationals leader Shane Love said any disruption to iron ore exports would affect regional jobs, state revenue and national economic prosperity.
