Workers at BHP’s iron-ore export terminal in Port Hedland, Western Australia,
will stage an eight-hour strike on July 16 after more than six months of failed
negotiations, the union said. The action will involve operators and maintenance
crews at the world’s largest iron-ore export port; staff are represented by the
port workers’ union and are seeking recognition of specialist skills,
compensation for arduous working conditions and significant personal costs. A
BHP spokesperson said the company is focused on safety, maintaining efficient
operations and reaching a fair, competitive and reasonable agreement, and added
BHP has secured new enterprise agreements with about 1,800 regional mining
employees that have not prompted strike action.
