-
Posted by Allen Newton
- |
-
19 June, 2026
INDUSTRIAL unrest, the likes of which haven’t been seen in Western Australia’s Pilbara for more than 30 years has attracted a third union moving towards potential strike action.
The Australian Workers Union has applied to the Fair Work Commission for a protected action ballot of its members at Port Hedland’s BHP Pilbara iron ore operation in a move supported by federal resources minister Madeleine King.
According to Business News, the AWU lodged its application on Thursday, seeking to survey members of the Western Mine Workers Alliance (WMWA) — a joint body of the AWU and the Mining and Energy Union — on whether they support industrial action at BHP’s port operations.
Madeleine King has publicly backed workers’ right to take industrial action, telling ABC Radio Perth that while she hoped a strike could be avoided, unions were entitled to act when negotiations stalled.
“No‑one likes industrial action — but sometimes because of the imbalance of power between workers and their employer, they need to work together — to negotiate for conditions,” she said. “They deserve every single cent of what they earn.”
Ms King also emphasised the harsh conditions faced by Pilbara workers, noting the “hard, hot” environment and long swings away from family.
Separately, The West Australian newspaper reports that King has issued BHP a “please explain”, preparing to confront the company’s leadership over what she views as a double standard in its approach to worker agreements. The report says King is challenging BHP over its handling of the Pilbara standoff as union pressure intensifies.
The AWU ballot covers more than 100 production operators at Port Hedland. The move makes the AWU the third union to position itself for industrial action at the world’s largest bulk export port.
According to Business News, the ballot application covers members of the Western Mine Workers Alliance, a joint body of the AWU and the Mining and Energy Union, and follows successful protected‑action ballots by the Electrical Trades Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union. Both unions have already secured approval for stoppages ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours, though no strike has yet been called.
AWU acting WA secretary Craig Beveridge said workers were frustrated after more than six months of bargaining.
“They want BHP to stop whingeing and start taking their concerns seriously,” he told Business News. “Workers want an enterprise agreement that provides transparency, fair treatment and guaranteed conditions — not having their livelihood at the whim of individual managers.”
BHP said it remained committed to bargaining “in good faith” and had put forward “fair, competitive and reasonable offers” that maintained industry‑leading pay and conditions while preserving operational flexibility.
If the AWU ballot is approved and members vote in favour, BHP could face coordinated action from three unions simultaneously — a rare alignment in the Pilbara and the first protected industrial action at BHP’s port operations in more than 30 years.
ABC reporting notes that unionised workers have already voted overwhelmingly for stoppages, with the AMWU confirming 90% support and the ETU reporting unanimous backing among its members.
Unions have indicated they are prepared for prolonged action if BHP does not bargain in good faith. BHP has warned that shutting down Port Hedland could cost the company more than $120 million per day.
What happens next?
The Fair Work Commission will consider the AWU’s ballot application. If approved, workers must vote before any action can be authorised and unions must give BHP five days’ notice before any stoppage.
A meeting between the ETU and BHP is scheduled for 23 June.
With three unions now mobilising and federal ministers openly challenging BHP’s stance, the dispute has become one of the most significant industrial relations flashpoints in the Pilbara in decades.
