More workers join BHP strike at Port Hedland iron ore hub

Around 150 BHP workers have joined a 24-hour strike at the Port Hedland iron ore hub, marking the first major industrial action at the facility since 2000. The action, which began on Sunday, follows a separate 24-hour ban on ship loading that started on Saturday. The strike, involving three unions within the Combined BHP Ports Unions, represents part of BHP's workforce of more than 800 employees at the Western Australian port.

BHP transports roughly $80 million worth of iron ore through the facility daily, making any sustained disruption potentially significant for global supplies. The company has offered a 16% pay increase and contingency plans to keep operations running safely, but negotiations are expected to resume on August 18. The strike could potentially tighten seaborne supply and affect iron ore prices, although BHP's ability to continue loading vessels has so far limited the impact.

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