-
Posted by Allen Newton
- |
-
15 July, 2026
A HISTORIC strike at BHP’s iron‑ore export hub is now formally locked in for Thursday and set to disrupt Australia’s busiest bulk export port.
Five hours of Fair Work‑supervised talks failed to produce a breakthrough, with unions confirming they will proceed with an eight‑hour stoppage involving around 160–200 workers.
The Australian Workers Union, AMWU and ETU — bargaining as a combined ports alliance — walked out of Tuesday’s meeting saying no agreement had been reached. According to The West Australian newspaper, AWU WA secretary Brad Gandy said he would be listening only to union members, not political leaders, declaring:
“I represent members… and they’re the only voices I’ll be listening to — not the Premier or ministers.”
The strike, scheduled from 2pm to 10pm, will be the first large‑scale industrial action in WA’s iron‑ore sector in three decades, with unions planning a “family‑friendly” demonstration outside the port including a community barbecue and children’s activities. Despite the soft optics, the stoppage is expected to disrupt ship loading at the Port of Port Hedland, Australia’s busiest bulk export port.
BHP said it was “disappointing” the unions chose to proceed despite what it described as “positive progress” in Tuesday’s meeting, adding that contingency plans were in place to maintain safe operations. The company has not confirmed whether those plans include non‑union labour.
The WA Government has urged both sides to negotiate in good faith, while the Opposition criticised Premier Roger Cook for what it called a “hands‑off” approach. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy accused unions of “manufacturing a crisis”, arguing bargaining should be allowed to run its course.
Port Hedland handles more than $115 billion in iron ore exports annually, with BHP shipping roughly $120 million worth of ore per day. Treasury estimates suggest the strike could cost the State about $7 million per day in lost royalties.
A further bargaining session before the Fair Work Commission is scheduled for next Tuesday, but union organisers are already preparing additional industrial action if progress stalls.
