BHP faces strike action at Port Hedland

• Around 200 workers at Port Hedland will conduct an eight-hour strike following failed union talks with BHP.
• The planned action at the Western Australian export site could cost the mining giant up to $50 million.
• Union representatives stated that workers are striking to secure equal pay guarantees and transparent career progression in an enterprise agreement.

Hundreds of workers will strike today at the Port Hedland export terminal operated by BHP (ASX:BHP) after talks with unions failed to produce a new enterprise agreement.

The eight-hour stoppage marks the first protected industrial action within the company's iron ore division since 2000.

"The members have had enough of working alongside each other when there’s a pay discrepancy," said Electrical Trades Union Western Australia Official Adam Woodage.

The action involves 200 of the 450 total staff members at the facility, which could impact operations at the site.

The company stated that contingency plans are in place to manage operations, but the interruption could cost up to $

42.50.

The dispute centres on replacing individual worker arrangements, which have been in place since 1999, with a unified enterprise agreement.

The company currently holds a market capitalisation of more than $307 billion, making it the most valuable listed entity in Australia.