Key facts
- Strikes at BHP's Port Hedland iron ore operations did not prevent a vessel from leaving port on July 17.
- Approximately 63 out of 200 eligible workers participated in the strike.
- Every electrician at BHP's port operations joined the strike.
- BHP has been in negotiations for a new enterprise agreement with its maritime workforce since October 2025.
- The next bargaining meeting between unions and BHP is scheduled for July 21.
Worker strikes at Australian miner BHP's Port Hedland iron ore operations in Western Australia did not prevent a loaded vessel from leaving port on July 17, despite earlier union threats. Approximately 63 of 200 eligible workers participated in the strike between 14:00 and 22:00 AWST on July 16. Every electrician at BHP's port operations participated, according to the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) WA secretary Adam Woodage. Other unions, including the Western Mine Workers Alliance (WMWA) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union (AMWU), may not have joined the action.
BHP has been negotiating a new enterprise agreement with its Port Hedland maritime workforce, covering around 450 employees, since October 2025. Unions and BHP last met on July 14 to discuss wages and working conditions but failed to reach an agreement. Their next bargaining meeting is scheduled for July 21.
Port Hedland is the world's largest bulk iron ore export port and a critical hub for BHP's Western Australia iron ore supply chain. BHP produced 291.2 million tonnes of iron ore from its WA operations in the fiscal year July 2025-June 2026, all of which is exported through Port Hedland.