Wage talks between mining company BHP and labor unions representing workers at its Port Hedland iron ore facilities wrapped up Tuesday with no deal reached, according to a union spokesperson. Further negotiations have been set for the following week.
Port Hedland, located in Australia’s northwest, serves as a critical hub for the country’s iron ore exports. An estimated $80 million worth of BHP products moves through the port on any given day.
The company has been engaged in discussions with the Combined Ports Unions, and both sides indicated last week that headway had been made toward securing a four-year labor agreement.
A spokesperson for the unions confirmed that the next round of talks between Combined Ports Unions and BHP is scheduled for Tuesday of next week. BHP did not offer an immediate response to requests for comment.
The Combined Ports Unions is made up of three separate unions, one of which — the Electrical Trades Union — will hold its own separate meeting with BHP negotiators this Thursday.
