Hundreds of BHP workers are set to walk off the job at its Port Hedland iron ore operations in Western Australia next week, after six months of failed negotiations between the mining giant and unions over a four-year labour agreement, Reuters reported.
Port Hedland, which is also used by Fortescue and Hancock Prospecting, ships around US$150 million of iron ore a day.
The unions announced an eight-hour work stoppage scheduled for July 16. The Combined Ports Unions, which represents four unions active at the site, estimate that about 160-200 of the 450 workers responsible for BHP’s port and maintenance operations will participate in the strike.
The action comes after workers at some of BHP’s other operations in the Pilbara region narrowly voted to approve a new labour deal. “We have delivered a new enterprise agreement at Mining Area C and South Flank that rewards 1,800 workers — without industrial action,” BHP said in a statement.
“Every Australian benefits from a strong iron ore sector. We are eager to keep negotiating constructively for a fair deal, while making sure we can keep operations running safely.”
The South Flank agreement included a guaranteed 16% pay hike over its four-year term, increases to site-based allowances, and a new payment scheme for delayed flights.
“We think the South Flank deal is undercooked, for the work that they do away from their family and for the conditions,” Steve McCartney, state secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, told reporters. “Sixteen percent over four years is not enough.”
Union officials said a meeting with BHP was slated for July 14, which could avert the stoppage.
Source: Reuters