BHP train drivers will receive $40,000 in bonus payments and greater control over their rosters.
Train drivers across BHP’s iron ore operations have voted in favour of a new workplace deal in return for a 4 per cent annual pay rise, $40,000 in bonus payments, and greater control over their rosters.
Under the new agreement, BHP will require an employee’s consent before putting that worker on a non-even time roster (such as two weeks on, one week off).
The drivers – almost 400 in number – first raised concerns when BHP switched from a two weeks on, two weeks off workload to two weeks on, one week off, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following this change, workers began to lobby for the ban of mobile rostering systems to prevent automatic changes to their hours without notice. Fortunately for drivers, the new workplace deal changes this.
“We would like to thank BHP for listening,” Mining and Energy Union WA secretary Greg Busson said.
The agreement comes after two years at the bargaining table, with BHP offering a deal in December 2023, which was rejected. After listening to employee feedback, BHP reassessed and came back with an offer which was approved by 97 per cent of voters.
It is the latest example of BHP’s commitment to creating a thriving workplace culture by listening to the needs of its people. In July last year, the company completed a $300 million project to ramp up security at its Western Australia Iron Ore (WAIO) villages to make workers feel more comfortable.
“Safety continues to be our number one priority and I’m happy to see this work complete to make our villages feel safer and more accessible for everyone who visits them,” WAIO non-process infrastructure general manager Kate Holling said.
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