Unions representing workers at BHP Group’s (ASX:BHP) Port Hedland iron ore operations in Western Australia plan to seek arbitration. The move follows more than nine months of wage negotiations without an agreement.
The Combined BHP Ports Unions — which represents about 450 operators and maintenance workers — says it will apply to the Fair Work Commission for an intractable bargaining declaration, according to Reuters.
The application would seek to move the dispute towards a commission-set agreement. The parties have been negotiating a four-year deal, with almost weekly meetings in recent months facilitated by the commission.
BHP’s revised proposal includes a 17% pay increase over four years for most workers, a $25,000 transition payment over two years, and higher roster allowances.
The unions argue that about 40% of the workforce would be worse off under the proposal.
A BHP spokesperson says the company remains focused on a fair and reasonable agreement and considers continued negotiations the quickest way to reach an outcome.
Workers staged two days of stoppages in August, marking the facility’s first major industrial action in 25 years.
Port Hedland is the main shipping gateway for BHP’s Pilbara iron ore operations.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: BHP Group
