{
  "id": 6669908,
  "title": "BHP subsidiary class action begins over public holiday work",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/bhp-subsidiary-class-action-begins-over-public-holiday-work",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-11T00:02:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-11/bhp-os-action-public-holidays/107140208"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A class action has been initiated against BHP subsidiary Operations Services (OS) for requiring employees to work on public holidays, following a Federal Court ruling that OS breached the Fair Work Act by ordering 85 staff to work on Christmas Day in 2019 at the Daunia mine in Queensland. The new legal action, led by Sydney-based AEN Legal on behalf of two plaintiffs, may cover around 7,000 workers who were employed by OS between December 2019 and March 2023. Concerns raised include inadequate consultation and employees being randomly selected to work public holidays. BHP, which has appealed the Federal Court's decision, maintains operations on Christmas and Boxing Day, despite criticism from the affected workforce.",
  "summary": "The class action alleges that a BHP subsidiary did not offer workers a reasonable chance to apply for leave over public holidays.",
  "key_points": [
    "BHP subsidiary OS faces class action for public holiday work requirements.",
    "Federal Court ruled OS breached Fair Work Act by ordering 85 staff to work Christmas Day 2019.",
    "Lawsuit may cover 7,000 workers employed by OS from Dec 2019 to Mar 2023."
  ],
  "editors_take": "This class action against BHP subsidiary Operations Services signals a potential shift in accountability for companies requiring employees to work on public holidays without adequate consultation or fair selection processes.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}