By Rhiannon Hoyle
Train drivers at BHP Group’s Australian iron-ore operations have voted in favor of strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions, a union representing the workers said Monday.
Workers backed a number of measures including work stoppages, speed reductions and a range of work bans in a ballot held from Oct. 18-25, the Mining and Energy Union said in a statement.
The union and BHP have been in talks on a new agreement for the company’s iron-ore train drivers for nearly two years, it said.
Union officials will continue to seek a deal with the miner but will take action if workers’ concerns aren’t addressed, said MEU Western Australian Secretary Greg Busson. A spokeswoman for BHP did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The union said the labor agreement covers roughly 500 drivers who operate trains hauling the steel ingredient from BHP’s mines to Port Hedland, to be shipped to steelmakers in Asia.
Drivers are seeking guaranteed annual pay increases and consistent standards in training, roster changes and other areas, it said.
Write to Rhiannon Hoyle at [email protected]
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