MELBOURNE, July 8 (Reuters) - Workers at BHP's Port Hedland operations in Western Australia gave notice of an eight-hour work stoppage on Wednesday set for July 16, which is expected to disrupt daily revenue of A$120 million ($83.16 million) worth of iron ore.
Unions have called for the action after six months of negotiations that have failed to reach an agreement on terms for a four-year labour deal.
Workers across the company’s port operations and maintenance workforce represented by the Combined
Ports Unions will participate in the stoppage, according to a union statement.
“This is nobody’s preferred way forward, but when it is our only way forward, we will take it," said Electrical Trades Union WA Secretary Adam Woodage.
“I hope this sharpens the minds of BHP managers – and shareholders – on the importance of negotiating for a fair, safe and productive iron ore industry.”
The action comes after workers at BHP's South Flank and Mining Area C iron ore operations last week narrowly voted to approve a new labour agreement.
Unions are making the biggest push in 30 years to penetrate Australia's mining heartland since the Labor government enacted a law in 2022 giving them the power to negotiate wage deals that cover several employers, more scope to request flexible arrangements and allow industry-wide strikes.
The South Flank agreement last week included a guaranteed 16% pay hike over its four-year term, increases to site-based allowances and a new payment scheme for delayed flights.
Port Hedland, which is also used by Fortescue and Hancock, ships around $150 million of iron ore a day, underscoring the scale of potential disruption.
($1 = 1.4430 Australian dollars)
(Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)
