BHP HAS kept iron‑ore exports flowing through Port Hedland despite an eight‑hour strike by around 200 workers on Thursday, with the company confirming seven vessels were loaded during the stoppage.
The industrial action — led by the ETU, AMWU and WMWA — was staged outside the port’s operations centre and marked the most significant Pilbara resources strike in more than two decades.
Workers are seeking improvements to rostering, fatigue management and job security under a new enterprise agreement.
Despite the walk‑off, BHP said its port team maintained safe operations and continued loading across multiple berths, minimising disruption to supply chains and shipping schedules.
Union representatives described the strike as a “family‑friendly picket” and said the action was designed to send a message without halting production entirely. They argue the short stoppage delays royalties by hours rather than days, and does not materially affect state revenue.
The strike coincided with BHP’s announcement of approval for the $1.3‑billion Ministers North iron‑ore project, which will feed the company’s Pilbara supply chain for the next decade.
WA Premier Roger Cook said the government was monitoring the dispute closely but supported workers’ rights to take protected industrial action.
Negotiations between BHP and the unions are continuing, with further stoppages possible if no agreement is reached.