Overview
- Unions at BHP's Port Hedland operations secured overwhelming ballots on Thursday, with the AMWU reporting 90% support and the ETU saying nearly all members backed action.
- Ballots authorised an unlimited number of stoppages lasting between 30 minutes and 24 hours and cover about 450 maintenance workers who must give five days' notice before any protected action begins.
- Unions say the move follows six to seven months of failed bargaining, accusing BHP of stonewalling and seeking equal contract terms and pay parity for port maintenance staff.
- BHP says it aims to keep industry-leading pay and has strong contingency plans in place while unions accuse the company of recruiting labour hire contractors to blunt action.
- Analysts and industry groups warn a shutdown would hit exports and state royalties hard, with published estimates of roughly $110–$126 million a day to BHP and about $6.85 million a day in WA royalties, and government officials are calling for urgent negotiation.