Hundreds of BHP workers back strike at key iron ore hub
Hundreds of BHP workers at Hedland Port in Western Australia have voted in favor of strike action, raising the risk of disruption to iron ore shipments from one of the world’s biggest export hubs, two unions say.
The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) said 100 percent of its 100 members who took part in the vote supported work stoppages ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours, which could begin within a few days.
More than 100 members of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) also voted 89 per cent in favor of a strike, a spokesman said on Thursday.
The votes came after months of talks with BHP, the world’s largest mining company, to agree a labor contract in which workers demanded improved pay and working conditions.
BHP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Port Hedland is one of the world’s largest iron ore loading ports and the largest in Australia.
It is linked to many of BHP’s mines in the Pilbara region and is used for all iron ore exports in Western Australia.
The ETU said it was seeking a deal to ensure equality after workers with the same skills and experience at the port were hired on “wildly different” individual contracts.
“We have been trying to negotiate a decision for more than six months, but BHP’s obstructive behavior means there is no one to negotiate with,” Western Australia’s minister of state, Adam Woodage, said.
The union added that workers can start a strike after giving five days’ notice.
AMWU state secretary Steve McCartney said workers had unsuccessfully negotiated with the company for seven months.
“Members have had enough,” he said.
“They demand to be heard and they demand a fair deal.”
“More than 100 workers are standing up for fair pay and conditions during the cost of living crisis.”
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