00:02After another failed bargaining meeting earlier this week, the combined ports unions met last
00:07night to discuss further industrial action.
00:10They've now given BHP the required five days' notice for more strikes at the port headland
00:15operations next weekend.
00:18Just weeks ago, unionised workers downed tools in an eight-hour stoppage in a strike that
00:23seems to have little impact on the miners' operations.
00:26The renewed action will take the form of a 24-hour ban on the shiploading on the Saturday,
00:32followed by a 24-hour work stoppage on Sunday.
00:36In a statement, BHP told the ABC it was frustrated by the lack of progress and genuine engagement
00:42from the unions and said unions should be focusing on negotiating and coming to an agreement, not
00:48slowing one down.
00:50Meanwhile, unions have said that this is an intentional escalation and that BHP has had
00:56every opportunity to come to the table.
00:59BHP and unions will meet again at the negotiating table next week on Tuesday with the Fair Work
01:05Commission before the strike in a last-ditch attempt to come to an agreement.
01:09If no agreement is reached, we will see workers downed tools for the second time in this long-running
01:16dispute.
01:16.
01:16.
01:16.
01:16.
01:17.
01:17.
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