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BHP workers at Port Hedland set for first major strike in decades
The planned eight-hour stoppage on July 16 is aimed at forcing a new four-year enterprise agreement after six months of contract talks stalled.
Hundreds of workers at BHP’s Port Hedland iron ore operations in Western Australia plan to stage the site’s first major strike in decades next week after six months of failed contract negotiations, Mining.com reported. About 160 to 200 employees covering port and maintenance operations are scheduled to stop work for eight hours on July 16, from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time, according to the Combined Ports Unions.
Port Hedland handles about $150 million in iron-ore shipments each day, and the interruption could affect roughly $80 million in BHP revenue, the outlet said. Union officials said the workers are seeking a new four-year enterprise agreement, with Electrical Trades Union Western Australia secretary Adam Woodage arguing the action is not preferred but necessary.
The dispute follows BHP’s last week securing a new labor agreement for about 1,800 workers at its Mining Area C and South Flank operations in the Pilbara, including a guaranteed 16% wage increase over four years and higher site allowances. Union leaders said that package still falls short of fairly rewarding employees working extended rotations away from their families.
BHP said it remains committed to reaching a negotiated settlement while maintaining safe operations, and union officials said talks scheduled for Tuesday could still prevent the strike. Analysts cited by Mining.com said a single eight-hour stoppage would likely have little effect on global iron-ore markets because Chinese port inventories remain elevated, while a longer disruption could tighten supply from Australia, the world’s largest exporter.