BHP staff down tools for historic strike in Western Australia

Hundreds of BHP staff have downed tools for one of the most significant industrial disputes to hit Australia's resources sector in a quarter of a century.

Unions said about 200 workers at the mining giant's operations in Port Hedland walked off the job at 2pm, disrupting ongoing work at Australia's largest bulk export port.

They were warmly welcomed by supporters and union staff, who had assembled before the protected industrial action got underway.

A "family-friendly" picket has been established outside the gates, with sausages cooking on the barbecue, and pickleball and face painting for assembled children.

But a large inflatable cat known as "Scabby", clutching a bag of cash in one hand and a worker in the other, also ensured the industrial messaging took centre stage.

The scenes were a far cry from BHP's last major strike in 2000, when striking workers scuffled with police.

The eight-hour stoppage had been expected to cost the company millions of dollars in lost revenue, with foregone royalties also set to hit the state government's budget bottom line.

But as of this afternoon, the ABC understands BHP has not experienced any disruption, and ships continue to be loaded.

The combined ports unions — the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and the Western Mine Workers Alliance — have been locked in negotiations with BHP for months.

The miner took the matter to the Fair Work Commission last week seeking the regulator's assistance for an outcome.

A BHP spokesperson labelled the strike action as disappointing, and said it had contingency plans in place to limit disruption.

"We remain committed to bargaining in good faith and believe involving the Commission is the most constructive, transparent and fair way to achieve the best outcome," the spokesperson said.

ETU national secretary Michael Wright said the negotiations came down to respect.

"The work here is hard, tough, skilled and fundamental to our national economy," Mr Wright said.

"BHP is breaking the promise that the Pilbara has historically given to Australian people, which is good money for hard work."

AMWU state secretary Steve McCartney said they would not compromise until members were satisfied with an agreement.

"We've been negotiating for seven months, and they haven't been listening," he said.

"We just want them to share in the profits."

Mining lobby says economy at risk

The strike comes as the miner reported record quarterly production, with Western Australia's Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) arguing the action put that success and investment at risk.

Local reaction in Port Hedland, where BHP employs about 7 per cent of the town's 15,000-strong population, has been mixed.

Town of Port Hedland chief executive Dale Stewart told the ABC today that he hoped the impact on local business and services would be minimal.

Port Hedland local Kelson Charles said his priority was to improve working conditions.

"It's pretty harsh ... no-one really wants to work in 50 degree heat," he said.

He expected more workers to join after the evening shift change at 6pm.

However, Kariyarra elder George Dann, who has lived in Hedland for 78 years, said the industrial action should not overshadow other challenges locals face, particularly those who do not work in the mining industry.

"With these pay negotiations, a lot of it doesn't come back to the town of Port Hedland," Mr Dann said.

"If BHP [staff] get extra monies, it doesn't come back to help the locals."

Chamber chief executive Aaron Morey said the strike was "uncharted territory", criticising the federal and West Australian Labor governments for failing to intervene.

"The world is watching this afternoon … international customers and international investors are watching," he said.

"We've got some unions up in the north of the state that are holding up Australia's biggest economic asset.

"And they're holding it up for face painting and bouncy castles."

But ETU state secretary Adam Woodage pointed to recent investment decisions by BHP, and record production figures announced today.

"The ETU remains ready, willing and able to negotiate," he said.

"BHP can ring me this afternoon, and I'll go in the gates here if they want to cut a deal."

ETU members in Brisbane and Melbourne rallied in support of the strike action today.

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