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<\/p>\nHundreds of BHP workers look set to walk off the job at Port Hedland next week in what would be the Western Australian mining industry’s most significant industrial action for a quarter of a century.<\/p>\n
It comes after talks between the mining giant and unions aimed at improving workers’ pay and conditions failed to reach a result.<\/p>\n
The unions, which represent hundreds of workers at the mining giant’s Port Hedland operations, said they had given BHP the required five days’ notice to strike.<\/p>\n
Between 150 and 200 workers are expected to walk off the job at 2pm on July 16, with the stoppage lasting until 10pm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The dispute at the port, Australia’s largest export facility, stands to threaten $120 million in revenue a day for the company and $6.85 million in royalty payments to the WA government, according to the latest available data.<\/p>\n
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Operations at BHP’s iron ore port in Port Hedland (ABC News: Charlie Mills)<\/p>\n
Negotiations between the combined ports unions \u2014 the Western Mine Workers Alliance, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, and the Electrical Trades Union \u2014 and the mining giant wrapped up on Tuesday without a definitive outcome.<\/p>\n
ETU WA secretary Adam Woodage told 102.5 ABC Perth that BHP had failed to negotiate in good faith.<\/p>\n
He said the strike would land on what was known as a “double-up day” at the port, with twice as many workers on site for critical maintenance and operational handovers.<\/p>\n
But he said the action would still have a “significant impact” on business.<\/p>\n
“This is nobody’s preferred way forward, but when it is our only way forward we will take it,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I hope this sharpens the minds of BHP workers and shareholders on the importance of negotiating a fair, safe and productive iron ore industry.<\/p>\n
“These men and women know how to make BHP big money on the daily \u2026 potentially stuff won’t be getting loaded.”![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/8c35223d09731bba992a1d0c6a71d976.jpeg\")
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The stoppage will impact the miner’s facilities at the bulk export terminal in Port Hedland. (ABC Pilbara: Kimberley Putland)<\/p>\n
BHP previously said its focus remained on securing an outcome that maintained “industry-leading pay and conditions” for its workforce.<\/p>\n
“In the event of union disruption at our sites, we have strong contingency plans in place to protect our people and ensure safe, reliable operations can continue,” a spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Industrial landscape shifting<\/p>\n
Unions have steadily been regaining their foothold in the Pilbara since the Albanese government’s changes to industrial relations in 2022.<\/p>\n