A coalition of three unions aligned against BHP is preparing an eight-hour strike at the iron ore hub on Thursday, framed around a community-style event with a family barbecue and children’s activities.
Organisers warn BHP not to rely on strike breakers, yet say they will not block non-union employees from entering the site.
BHP left five hours of talks at the Fair Work Commission saying it was disappointed that unions intend to proceed.
Union officials are positioning the action as a low-key gathering that understates the financial and political stakes for the company and the wider economy.
Port Hedland handled about $115.8bn in exports in 2024-25, with BHP responsible for the bulk of shipments through its eight berths.
Over the past decade, the miner has delivered around $22.2bn in iron ore royalties to the Western Australian government.
Iron ore contributes roughly 5% of national GDP and 22% of the state government’s general revenue.
Both the federal and Western Australian Labor governments decline to criticise the strike, which BHP links to strengthened union power under recent industrial relations reforms.
Union leaders are keen to distance Thursday’s action from the violent scenes that marked the last major multi-union strike at Port Hedland about 26 years ago.
During that earlier dispute, police broke up picket lines outside BHP’s Nelson Point operations, made multiple arrests and escorted non-union workers in by bus to keep exports moving.
Members of the Electrical Trades Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and Australian Workers Union are expected to walk off the job, affecting around 236 of roughly 450 workers handling, blending and loading iron ore.
The combined unions say no deal emerged from Tuesday’s session at the Fair Work Commission and no further meeting is scheduled until next week.
BHP turned to the commission, Australia’s industrial umpire, to try to avert the stoppage, warning that a full halt to exports could cost about $US90m a day.
Company representatives say they made progress under the commission’s guidance and remain committed to bargaining in good faith, offering a draft agreement with 4% annual pay rises over four years for most port staff, along with higher allowances and simpler pay structures.
Management has hinted at contingency plans to keep iron ore moving and the port operating safely, without revealing how that would work.
Internal messages accuse unions of spreading inaccurate information, while union officials stay quiet on their specific pay and conditions wishlist for port employees.
Separate industrial campaigns add more pressure.
The Electrical Trades Union is already pursuing a deal for electricians in BHP’s high-voltage operations that would lift total remuneration, including bonuses and penalties, towards $400,000 a year.
The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union is understood to be chasing similar packages in the $360,000 to $400,000 range.
Many port workers are already estimated to earn more than $200,000, and about 1800 mine workers at other BHP sites recently backed a new pay deal against union recommendations.
Unions have timed Thursday’s strike to coincide with favourable ship-loading tides, aiming to disrupt at least two shipments and inflict maximum economic damage, even as they publicly rule out “hard” pickets and talk up the family barbecue atmosphere.
