00:02A close-up look at Australia's biggest export.
00:06Visitors to Port Hedland shocked by the sheer scale of the iron ore operations.
00:12Never knew it was like this big. They're just incredibly huge.
00:16Can you imagine how much money comes in and out of this port, that's for sure.
00:19It's on a big scale, very, very big scale.
00:22This is the world's largest bulk export facility, and the red dirt runs gold.
00:27The product moved here contributes $170 billion in royalties every year.
00:33But today, some of the port workers who make it possible are on strike.
00:37The impact will be to put pressure on the company in bargaining, to bring the company to the table.
00:45BHP says 70 workers didn't show up this morning.
00:49The combined union say that number will climb to 150, factoring in shift changes.
00:54The impact is hard to verify. BHP maintains vessels continue to be loaded as usual.
01:01And the ore is pouring in. But the unions say it's at a slower rate.
01:06The Pilbara is an important economic driver for our state and our country.
01:11So, of course, we're watching it closely.
01:14But, as I said, the Fair Work Commission is there to help work with the parties and urge the parties
01:19to try and reach agreement.
01:22This year's strikes are the most significant in the Pilbara in two decades.
01:26And it's not just here in Port Headlands.
01:28Near the mines in Newman, BHP's high voltage electrical workers down tools for 12 hours.
01:34Our membership in the Pilbara, particularly in Iron Ore, has effectively tripled.
01:41Most workers here earn more than $200,000 a year.
01:45But the unions say this is about more than money.
01:48They want clearer pay structures and working conditions.
01:52The miner says the strikes are not needed.
01:54They've already committed to tabling an updated agreement at the next Fair Work meeting.
01:59Amid these massive shifts here in the ports, you get an understanding of the sheer scale of the iron ore
02:05industry
02:05and why BHP is the world's largest listed miner.
02:09We have 5% of Australia's GDP through this one little town of 18,000 people.
02:14In a bid to try and settle the pay dispute, both sides will be back before the Fair Work Commission
02:20on August 18.
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