Centinela mine unions in Chile call strike vote as talks stall
Unions at Antofagasta Minerals' Centinela copper mine in Chile have called a strike vote after talks stalled, with balloting set for September 26-28.
Two unions at Antofagasta Minerals' Centinela copper mine in Chile have urged their members to vote on whether to strike, saying collective bargaining with the company has reached a dead end.
The unions, Trabajadores de Minera Esperanza and Trabajadores Distrito Centinela, which are negotiating jointly, said they received the company's latest proposal on Wednesday through the formal dialogue process. Voting is scheduled to take place between September 26 and September 28.
In a statement, the unions said the offer did not address what they described as discrimination, noting that long-standing disparities remain unresolved. They added that they are financially prepared to sustain a strike that could last many days.
Under Chilean labour law, even if workers reject the offer, the two sides must still enter a mandatory five-day government mediation period. That period can be extended by the same length if both parties agree, and only after that would a strike be authorised.
Antofagasta Minerals declined to comment on the collective bargaining negotiations.