Union row with BHP deepens after officials kicked off Port Hedland site

Tensions between unions and mining giant BHP have escalated after union officials were reportedly removed from BHP's Port Hedland operations. The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) alleges that three elected representatives were illegally expelled from the site during a right-of-entry visit on Thursday.

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Aggressive behaviour is never tolerated in our workplaces. In the interests of maintaining a safe and respectful workplace, we have a responsibility to uphold standards of behaviour which are respectful of everyone on site.

According to the ETU, the officials were preparing to address workers when a manager ordered them to sit in a room lacking any seating. When they did not comply, security guards removed them, and police were present at the terminal. BHP, however, accused the union representatives of "aggressive behaviour" toward a female employee who asked them to follow the order, stating that such behavior is never tolerated and that workplace standards must be upheld.

The ETU plans to seek redress in the Federal Court, with state secretary Adam Woodage calling BHP's actions a "flagrant breach of the Fair Work Act, and of International Labor Organization conventions on freedom of association." The union insists its officials were "civil, peaceful and efficient" and condemned BHP's account as a "disgraceful smear."

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The decision of BHP management to use security guards to effect the removal of workers' elected representatives is a flagrant breach of the Fair Work Act, and of International Labor Organization conventions on freedom of association.

This confrontation unfolds against the backdrop of a broader industrial dispute at the port, where BHP and various unions are engaged in negotiations that have already led to strikes. Adding to the turmoil, reports have surfaced of a contractor suffering a crushed arm at BHP's Port Hedland operations during the same weekend some unionized staff were on strike. BHP and WorkSafe confirmed this incident was reported and is under investigation.

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We will be applying to the Federal Court for redress for this illegal act.