Combined BHP Ports Unions will seek arbitration over a proposed four-year wage agreement for BHP’s Port Hedland iron ore operations in Western Australia after negotiations failed to produce a deal. The union represents about 450 operators and maintenance workers and will apply for an intractable bargaining declaration, allowing the Fair Work Commission (Australia’s workplace-relations regulator) to set the agreement’s terms. BHP has offered most workers a 17% pay increase, including a A$25,000 transition payment over two years and higher roster allowances, but the union says about 40% of employees would be worse off. The dispute centers on pay and conditions at Port Hedland, the main shipping gateway for BHP’s Pilbara operations, which the union says generated more than $13 billion in profit for the company this year.