BHP Port Hedland Workers Set to Strike Over Pay and Conditions

Hundreds of BHP workers look set to walk off the job at Port Hedland next week in what would be the Western Australian mining industry's most significant industrial action for a quarter of a century.

It comes after talks between the mining giant and unions aimed at improving workers' pay and conditions failed to reach a result.

The unions, which represent almost 400 workers at the mining giant's Port Hedland operations, said they had given BHP the required five days' notice to strike.

The dispute at the port, Australia's largest export facility, stands to threaten $120 million in revenue a day for the company and $6.85m in royalty payments to the WA government, according to the latest available data.

The combined ports unions — the Western Mine Worker's Alliance, the Australian Manufacturing Worker's Union, and the Electrical Trades Union — indicated they would down tools next Thursday for eight hours.

The latest round of negotiations between unions and the mining giant wrapped up on Tuesday without a definitive outcome.

ETU WA Secretary Adam Woodage said BHP had failed to negotiate in good faith.

"This is nobody's preferred way forward, but when it is our only way forward we will take it," he said.

"I hope this sharpens the minds of BHP workers, and shareholders, on the importance of negotiating a fair, safe and productive iron ore industry."

BHP previously said its focus remained on securing an outcome that maintained "industry leading pay and conditions" for its workforce.

"In the event of union disruption at our sites, we have strong contingency plans in place to protect our people and ensure safe, reliable operations can continue," a spokesperson said.