Overview
- The industrial action began Saturday with a 24-hour ship-loading ban and continued Sunday with a 24-hour general work stoppage at BHP’s Port Hedland export terminal.
- About 150 operators and maintenance workers from the Combined BHP Ports Unions are taking part in the action as part of long-running bargaining over a four-year pay and conditions agreement.
- Industry estimates put potential lost revenue at roughly $100–$120 million per day for BHP and about $7 million per day in state royalties if loading is halted.
- BHP says it has contingency plans and has offered a 16% pay increase over four years while unions reject the offer as insufficient and demand enforceable terms that reflect specialist, remote work.
- Both sides have held multiple Fair Work Commission‑facilitated meetings and are due to meet again before the FWC on August 18, the same day BHP will report its annual results.