MELBOURNE, Aug 4 - Unions covering BHP’s Port Hedland operations in Western Australia reported on Tuesday that no wage settlement has been reached with the company, leaving a previously announced two-day industrial stoppage intact for the coming weekend.
A spokesperson for the Combined Ports Unions said the latest meeting produced constructive engagement but stopped short of a resolution. "The meeting was productive, and while substantive issues are yet to be resolved, the parties have identified a path forward which we will pursue over coming weeks," the spokesperson said in a statement.
The union confirmed that industrial action will still go ahead on Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9, as it had earlier indicated. The disruption is planned specifically at BHP’s operations in Port Hedland, which is identified as the world’s top iron ore export hub.
The union also noted that the planned action at BHP’s facilities is not expected to impact other companies operating within the port precinct.
BHP said it will table an updated proposal at the next scheduled meeting on August 18. In a statement, the company pointed to the existence of further talks and the assistance of the Commission in progressing negotiations. "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 their planned industrial action," the company said.
The situation leaves a brief, scheduled stoppage set to occur unless the parties reach agreement before the weekend dates. Both sides have signposted additional engagement in the weeks ahead while maintaining their current positions regarding the planned August stoppage and the timing of the next formal meeting on August 18.
Context note: The actions and statements described here refer only to the discussions and plans involving unions representing workers at BHP’s Port Hedland operations and the company’s indicated next steps; no other outcomes or impacts are claimed beyond those reported by the parties.