Federal Opposition leader Angus Taylor says he doesn’t want to see a return to the “bad old days” of the iron ore industry as union workers from BHP announced plans to escalate industrial action at the company’s Port Hedland operations.

Workers at BHP’s WA iron ore operations have notified the company of their intention to take lawful protected industrial action, with a 24-hour ban on loading ships on Saturday, August 8, followed by a 24-hour work stoppage at Port Hedland Bulk Export Terminal on the next day.

High voltage and power workers negotiating a separate agreement with the company will also undertake a 12-hour stoppage on Sunday, August 9.

The move by the Combined Ports Unions, made up of members from the Electrical Trades Union, the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union and the Western Mine Workers Alliance, follows strike action that saw members stop work for an eight-hour period earlier this month.

ETU WA secretary Adam Woodage said his workers had not taken the decision to strike lightly.

“However, if we have to fight against the biggest miner in Australia and against the most valuable company in Australia, our members are up for that fight, and we welcome their decision,” he said.

“We know we have a bargaining meeting next Tuesday with the assistance of the Fair Work Commission, and we welcome that, and we hope that we get to a resolution in that process.

“If we do not, the strike will be going ahead on the 8th and 9th of August.”

Port Hedland ships about $150 million of iron ore a day, with academics estimating BHP account for about $120 million of that.

Union supporters have previously cited pay rates at a Perth desalination plant of up to $240,000 as a benchmark for what staff in Port Hedland, about 1600 kilometres north, should receive.

Woodage has previously stated that it would cost BHP up to $120 million a day for a 24-hour stoppage at the BHP port

Speaking in Perth on Friday morning, Taylor said the success of the state’s iron ore industry was the result of many years of hard work between employers and employees.

“I just don’t want to see us go back to the bad old days,” he said.

“I was privileged to work in the iron ore industry in the Pilbara here in Western Australia for many years before going into politics.

“This is one of the great engine rooms of our economy and Western Australians have done something for our nation with building this industry which all of Australia benefits from.”

However, Taylor added that he wanted to see workers in the Pilbara get a good deal.

“They are amongst the very best workers, the most productive workers and the very best-paid workers in the world,” he said.

A BHP spokesperson said focus of the company remains on reaching a fair and reasonable agreement.

“Which is why BHP has already offered a 16 per cent pay increase in our negotiations with the unions,” they said.

“If unions genuinely wanted an agreement they would be focusing on Tuesday’s meeting, not organising industrial action.

“It is disappointing that they are creating more disruptions.”

“As with all potential disruptions to our business, we have plans in place to ensure operations can safely continue.”