In this regional shifts story, workers at BHP Port Hedland began a two day strike, the first major industrial action at the iron ore export hub in more than two decades. The action proceeded after the unions and BHP made progress in talks earlier in the week.
About 150 workers are expected to take part. The schedule includes a 24 hour ban on ship loading and a 24 hour stoppage on Sunday, although BHP said vessels were loading and departures would follow normal port planning and tides.
Three unions in the Combined BHP Ports Unions are negotiating a four year agreement with BHP. The group represents part of a port workforce of more than 800 people, while its membership includes about 450 operators and maintenance workers.
Port Hedland accounted for 75% of Pilbara iron ore exports in the year to June. The action is not expected to affect Fortescue or Hancock Prospecting, which also use the port, but it puts close attention on cargo movements from a key Australian export route.