Federal mines minister backs unions' right to strike at BHP

BHP workers are threatening to strike at the mining giant's Port Hedland operations. (ABC News: Keane Bourke)

Madeleine King says workers threatening strike action at Australia's busiest port are "worth every single cent" of what they earn.

Union members said they could shut down operations at Port Hedland for prolonged periods.

A tentative meeting between the ETU and miner BHP is set for June 23.

Unions have won backing from senior Labor ministers over their threat to bring the nation's busiest export port to a standstill with strike action against BHP.

Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King said while she hoped it would not come to a strike, there was nothing wrong with unions taking action at Port Hedland in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

Madeleine King says unions and BHP need to work together. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

"But sometimes because of the imbalance of power between workers and their employer, the biggest miner in the world, they need to work together, whether it be through unions or otherwise, to make sure they can enact their agency to negotiate for conditions.

"They deserve every single cent of what they earn. Those conditions are hard, hot, the swings away from family and friends are intense and it's a real impact on family life."

Iron ore exported from Port Hedland is worth an estimated $120 million a day. (AAP)

Unions have indicated they would be prepared to strike for prolonged periods if BHP continued to not bargain in good faith, a move that could cost the miner billions if they lasted weeks.

BHP last week claimed union action shutting down the world's largest bulk export port could cost the company in excess of $120 million per day.

There are 450 workers at BHP's Port Hedland Iron Ore facility, represented by several unions including the Electrical Trades Union (ETU) and Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union, whose members have voted for protected industrial action.

Unions have voted in favour of unlimited rolling stoppages ranging from 30 minutes to 24 hours, meaning the unions could shut down port operations indefinitely.

The ETU is open to workers going on strike for a week at Port Hedland. (Supplied: BHP Billiton)

When asked if they it was prepared to take action for a prolonged period, Electrical Trades Union (ETU) WA secretary Adam Woodage said the union would back its members.

"If our members indicate to us that they want to go out for a week we will support them through that process.

"We'll navigate those legal challenges that will come and we'll back in our members every day of the week."

Mr Woo