Members of the Electrical Trades Union QLD & NT will rally from 10.30am on Thursday 16 July outside BHP Coal and BMA’s Brisbane headquarters at 480 Queen Street. The action stands in solidarity with workers at BHP’s Port Hedland export terminal in Western Australia, who will take eight hours of protected industrial action the same day, the most significant stoppage at the company’s iron ore operations in decades.
Port Hedland is the world’s largest bulk export port. A full shutdown has been estimated to cost BHP up to $120 million in lost revenue per day.
Workers at Port Hedland are represented by the Electrical Trades Union WA, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union WA and the Western Mineworkers’ Alliance.
After months of failed negotiations, they are asking BHP for equal pay for equal work, a transparent classification structure that lets workers progress on skills and qualifications, and working conditions set out properly in the enterprise agreement.
These are standard terms in enterprise agreements negotiated by unions right across the country. If workers at Port Hedland win these conditions, it breaks a model BHP has spent decades building in the Pilbara, which is setting wages and conditions on non-union terms.
The ETU QLD & NT Branch stands in solidarity with Port Hedland workers fighting for fair pay and working conditions. BHP must come to the table and negotiate in good faith, our support tomorrow will show the company that this fight extends well beyond Western Australia.
