00:02Workers were downed tools for eight hours here at BHP's Port Headland operations this afternoon.
00:09The union's so-called family-friendly demonstration outside the facility is set to feature a community barbecue, face painting and
00:16even a bouncy castle.
00:18Unions estimate up to 200 staff will walk off the job in a move they say could cost BHP up
00:24to $50 million in lost revenue.
00:26The warring parties have been locked in negotiations over workers' pay and conditions since October without success.
00:33A last-ditch attempt to halt the industrial action, five hours of talks at the Fair Work Commission on Tuesday
00:38failed to break the impasse.
00:41BHP says today's strike is disappointing after positive progress in that meeting.
00:46The minor says it has contingency plans in place in the event of disruptions to the port,
00:51but despite repeated requests has refused to elaborate on what those plans are.
00:57BHP's next formal bargaining session with the unions again under Fair Work Commission supervision is slated for next Tuesday.
01:04Unions haven't ruled out further industrial action.
01:10Unions haven't ruled out the
Comments