Australian mining company BHP, which exports iron ore through the Port of Port Hedland, may face a new strike on August 8-9 if a corporate agreement (EA) cannot be agreed at the next meeting on August 4.
According to the Electrical Engineering Union (ETU) on July 31, the action will begin with a 24-hour ban on loading ships from 05:30 eastern time on August 8 (21:30 GMT, August 7), and then continue with a 24-hour work stoppage from 05:30 eastern time on August 9 (21:30 GMT, August 8th). About 150 employees are expected to take part in it over the weekend.
BHP's next meeting with the united port unions — ETU, the Australian Workers Union and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union — is scheduled for August 4. The parties intend to discuss wages and working conditions. The ETU said the strike at the Pilbara port in Western Australia would continue if the dispute could not be resolved through negotiations. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia (CME) estimates that a 24-hour stop in Port Hedland could cost BHP 120 million Australian dollars (83 million US dollars) in lost export revenue. Adam Morey, Executive Director of CME WA, described the situation in Port Hedland as "uncharted territory" on July 31, noting that there had been few industrial actions in the Pilbara over the past three decades.
BHP has been negotiating a new EA with marine staff in Port Hedland since October 2025. The agreement should cover about 450 employees, not counting contractors. According to the Fair Work Commission (FWC), up to 236 of them have the right to strike. BHP notes that about 1,200 people work in Port Hedland.
,BHP reported that the last strike in Port Hedland took place on July 16 and did not prevent the cargo ship from leaving the port early in the morning on July 17. According to the company, about 63 employees participated in it. Port
Port Hedland is the world's largest iron ore export port and an important link in BHP's supply chain in Western Australia. In July 2025 — June 2026, BHP produced 17256.9 million tons at its facilities in the state. Tons of ZG iron ore produced at BHP facilities in Washington State in July 2025 - June 2026 fiscal year. All of BHP's iron ore in WASHINGTON State is exported through Port Hedland.
