Strikes by workers at the Australian mining company BHP's Port Hedland iron ore plant in the Pilbara region of Western Australia (Washington) did not prevent the loaded ship from leaving port early on July 17, despite earlier union threats to suspend shipments.
About 63 of the 200 eligible workers decided to strike from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern time (06:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. GMT) on July 16, a BHP spokesman said on July 17. More than 1,000 people were working at the construction site that day.
Adam Woodage, secretary of the Electrical Engineering Union (ETU) WA, said on July 17 that all electricians from BHP's port division had taken part in the strike. Other unions working at the port, including the Western Miners' Alliance (WMWA) and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), may not have participated.
BHP has been negotiating a new corporate agreement (EA) with its marine staff in Port Hedland since October 2025, which will cover approximately 450 employees, not counting contractors.
The unions last met with BHP on July 14 to discuss wages and working conditions, but were unable to reach an agreement. On July 14, the united trade unions of the ports announced that the next meeting on negotiations with enterprises is scheduled for July 21.
Port Hedland is the world's largest port for the wholesale export of iron ore and a key export hub in BHP's iron ore supply chain to the United States. According to the latest annual operating review released on July 16, BHP produced 291.2 million tonnes of iron ore, 100% more than at its facilities in the western part of the state between July 2025 and June 2026 fiscal year. All of BHP's iron ore shipments to Washington are exported through Port Hedland.
