A planned industrial action by train drivers for BHP’s Pilbara iron ore operations in Western Australia was withdrawn as their union waits for an updated employment offer, reported Reuters.
“In good faith we have decided that we would withdraw the action at this stage,” Mining and Energy Union WA Secretary Greg Busson told the news agency.
Around 400 train drivers intended to stop using a BHP app for roster changes on 24 November after rejecting an offer that they said fell short of their expectations around rostering, arbitration and camp standards. By not using the app, the drivers would have to be contacted individually if BHP wished to change their hours.
BHP said that the proposed action would have presented logistical challenges but that it had put in place arrangements to mitigate the impact.
The mining giant’s iron ore operations include four processing hubs and five mines that are linked by more than 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) of rail and port facilities. The division accounted for 60% of BHP’s earnings before taxes in 2022.