Union rejects contract offer at Antofagasta’s Los Pelambres mine in Chile

The union for supervisors at Antofagasta’s Los Pelambres copper mine in Chile has rejected a contract offer, paving the way for a potential strike if further negotiations fail, the group said on Tuesday.

Some 94% of the union’s 550 members voted against the proposal, union leader Waldo Perez said in an interview.

In a statement, the union said its members found key clauses insufficient regarding base salary, annual performance bonus, remote work and additional hours. It also said the company’s proposal is 14% less than what was agreed in 2022.

Chilean law calls for government-led mediation during contract talks, with the aim of preventing strikes.

Antofagasta said it hoped to reach agreements as negotiations continue.

“There are still stages ahead in which we trust that, through dialogue and collaboration, we will be able to reach agreements,” the company said in a statement.

Los Pelambres last year produced 331,200 metric tons of copper.

(By Fabian Cambero and Daina Beth Solomon; Editing by Natalia Siniawski)