BHP Group (ASX:BHP) and unions representing workers at its Port Hedland iron ore operations have ended their latest round of negotiations without reaching an agreement.
Talks over the proposed four-year employment agreement are scheduled to resume on 15 September, with the Fair Work Commission facilitating discussions.
The three unions forming the Combined BHP Ports Unions have been meeting with the miner almost weekly in recent months.
BHP’s revised proposal would provide most workers with a 17% pay increase over four years. It also includes a $25,000 transition payment spread across two years and higher roster allowances.
The company says the revised offer addresses issues raised by employees and represents a step towards reaching what it considers a fair and reasonable agreement.
However, Electrical Trades Union Western Australia Secretary Adam Woodage says about 40% of the workforce would be worse off under the proposal.
The union argues that differences between workers performing similar roles should be addressed by raising lower pay rates rather than reducing the remuneration received by another group, according to Reuters.
Port Hedland is the world’s largest iron ore loading port and a major export hub for Australia, which ships around 900 million tonnes of the steelmaking raw material annually.
BHP Group transports about $80 million worth of iron ore through the facility each day as part of its WA Iron Ore operations.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: BHP Group
