BHP coerced and threatened against striking, miners allege

A weekend-long walkout by BHP workers at Nelson Point and Finucane Island facilities in Port Hedland has taken place, in response to alleged earlier threats against a partial strike.

Further to a coordinated strike by a number of unions within the BHP Ports Union on 16 July, iron ore workers at Port Hedland recently extended what was planned to be a partial walkout after allegedly receiving aggressive and threatening written communication from the mining giant.

According to the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU), BHP management warned against taking part in the shiploading stopwork, threatening the deduction of a full day’s pay regardless of any hours worked on other tasks during the shift.

Members did not present for work on 8 August, claiming the industrial action was a right under the Fair Work Act and further noting that attempts to punish workers taking part in protected industrial action only damage the relationship between the company and the workforce.

A full stopwork by the combined ports unions took place on 9 August.

AWU WA assistant secretary Craig Beveridge said: “Our members know the impact of them withdrawing their labour at Port Hedland over this weekend was significant, and BHP knows the impact of our members withdrawing their labour this weekend was significant.”

The BHP Ports Union, which comprises the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU), and the Western Mine Workers Alliance (WMWA) – which is comprised of the Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) and Mining and Energy Union (MEU) – held the July stoppage due to “inadequate progress in bargaining talks over more than six months”.

Ahead of the second day of striking, Beveridge said: “BHP must understand that the combined ports unions will not be deterred by threats or intimidation”.

“Our members remain committed to good faith negotiation when we next meet BHP on 18 August 2026, but BHP must understand that the days of ignoring the legitimate claims of their workforce are over.”

The AWU noted that members continue to demand an increase in base rates of pay, guaranteed annual increases, and a competency-based progression structure.

Beveridge said: “We are seeking an agreement that addresses the log of claims presented by employees at the beginning of this process.”

“BHP has continually refused to negotiate in good faith, and these actions are a direct message to the company that all union members are standing together in solidarity.”

HR Leader received the following comment from BHP: "Ship loading continued as planned, and shipping operations were not disrupted."

"With another meeting scheduled and an updated proposal to come, we have made significant progress with the Commission's assistance and there is no need for the unions to continue with industrial action."

Author's note: This story has been updated to include a statement from BHP received after publication.

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