July 3, 2026 — 2:44pmBHP workers represented by a coalition of unions in WA’s Pilbara have narrowly voted in favour of an enterprise agreement with the mining giant that covers its South Flank and Mining Area C operations, north-west of Newman.The Combined BHP Ports Unions – comprising the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union, Electrical Trades Union and Western Mine Workers’ Alliance – said in a statement that 58 per cent of eligible workers endorsed the agreement put to a vote by the company.The agreement covers almost 2000 workers at BHP’s South Flank mine, north-west of Newman.BHPThe agreement covers 1814 workers at BHP’s South Flank/Mining Area C, 89 per cent of whom took part in the ballot.It includes a 16 per cent guaranteed pay rise over four years, as well as increases to site-based allowances and a new delayed flight payment scheme.“We recognise and applaud the work of union members who engaged in collective bargaining and achieved an improved agreement, including measures BHP has refused to offer for decades such as guaranteed annual pay increases, delayed flight compensation and some improved entitlements,” a Combined BHP Ports Unions spokesperson said.The negotiations are separate to those currently under way between BHP and ETU WA members who work at the company’s Port Hedland operations, which has raised the spectre of industrial action in the Pilbara for the first time in decades.The Combined BHP Ports Unions spokesperson said the coalition recognised and shared the concerns of the nearly 50 per cent of workers who voted against the South Flank agreement.“They did so because they had the view that it did not adequately address serious issues in BHP’s historic employment practices,” they said.“This includes selective use of opaque company policies to divide workers, the absence of clear, enforceable progression and classification structures, and a failure to deliver pay rises that reflect the specialised work, difficult conditions or personal cost involved in working at the company’s iron ore division.“We will continue to negotiate and fight for an agreement at Port Hedland that provides fair, transparent and enforceable rights and conditions for a safe and productive industry.”BHP’s WA iron ore president Tim Day said the agreement was “a win-win for BHP and our people, who have voted strongly to lock in pay rises over the next four years as well as increased allowances and benefits”.“Throughout bargaining, our focus has been on listening to our teams about what matters most to them and putting forward a fair and competitive offer that recognises their contribution,” he said.“This agreement maintains industry-leading pay and conditions while supporting safe, productive and sustainable operations at MAC and South Flank. It also provides greater certainty for our workforce and operations into the future.”Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter. From our partners