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Arbitration sought by Combined BHP Ports Unions over wage dispute

The union announced on Tuesday that it would take BHP, the world's largest?miner, to arbitration if the two parties could not agree on the?terms of a new wage?deal in Western Australia for the Port Hedland Iron Ore Operations.

Port Hedland, the largest iron ore export center in the world and BHP's main shipping gateway to the Pilbara region, is the hub for BHP Pilbara operations.

The union, which represents 450 workers on the site (operators and maintenance), will apply for a "intractable bargaining statement" which allows the Fair Work Commission to determine the terms of the agreement.

Over the past nine months, both sides have been in talks to determine a wage agreement that will last four years. They've met almost weekly in recent weeks, with Fair Work Commission as a facilitator.

".....BHP refuses to negotiate an accord that reflects their specialized skills, the extreme conditions they work in and the personal sacrifices made by the employees who have generated more than $13 Billion in profits for the company?this past year", the Combined BHP Ports Unions stated in a press release.

In response to a?request for comment, a BHP spokesperson stated: "Our focus is on delivering an?fair?and reasonable?agreement."

BHP offers a 17% increase in pay for most workers over the four-year agreement. This includes a 'transition payment' of A$25,000 (17,802.50 USD) spread over two years as well as a rise in roster allowances.

The union claims that 40% of workers would be worse off if this proposal were to go through.

(source: Reuters)