Worker strikes at BHP’s sole WA iron ore port a certainty if unions leave a meeting on Tuesday unhappy

A meeting on Tuesday between BHP and three militant unions threatens WA’s busiest iron ore port and the riches it generates for the State.

A majority of about 80 members of the Australian Workers Union on Monday voted in favour of industrial action at BHP’s Port Hedland operations, adding to similar votes by the Electrical Trades Union and Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.

The trio of unions collectively control hundreds of workers at BHP’s sole Pilbara iron ore port and have said they would down tools if a bargaining meeting with the Big Australian on Tuesday does not go their way.

BHP had a win against the union movement last week after a majority of workers at the company’s two key WA iron ore mines voted in favour of a new wage deal that the unions were not happy with.

The agreement, which locks in a 16 per cent pay rise over 4 years, covers about 1800 employees at BHP’s Mining Area C and South Flank mines.

Unions had initially pushed for a new pay deal at the conjoined sites but wanted to squeeze more out of BHP than what was accepted by its workforce.

“We have delivered a new enterprise agreement at Mining Area C and South Flank that rewards 1800 workers — without industrial action,” a BHP spokesman said on Monday.

“Our intention is to find ways to lock in industry-leading pay and conditions for our Port operations team, while preserving the flexibility needed to keep our operations safe, reliable, and productive for all of us.”

Unions will have to give BHP five days notice before any industrial action occurs.

The Chamber of Minerals and Energy WA has said WA would be deprived of about $6.85 million in iron ore royalties for each day BHP’s Port Hedland operations are shut down.