More BHP workers vote to down tools after Pilbara port strike

In a protected action vote attended by electrical workers on BHP’s high voltage network, an overwhelming majority voted to return the cuts to the Fair Work Commission.

The vote follows an eight-hour strike at BHP’s bulk export terminal at the Port of Hedland on Thursday by a separate group of combined ports union members, including workers from the Electrical Union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Australian Trades Union.

High-voltage electrical workers are responsible for maintaining an electrical network that keeps BHP mine sites, workers’ accommodation and the nearby town of Newman running.

Workers were asked whether they supported unlimited work stoppages lasting between 30 minutes and 24 hours under an enterprise agreement with BHP.