Chile's powerful copper unions are headed into contract talks with a hand weakened by the coronavirus pandemic, giving an edge to miners like Codelco, Glencore and Antofagasta in negotiations that could influence wages and benefits for years.
“And when it comes to the point of negotiating contracts, that will be pretty tough.”
Prices have regained some ground as China begins to reopen. However, unions in Chile acknowledge they may not be able to get the usual contract sweeteners. In some recent negotiations, Codelco and others have been trying to reduce expensive perks such as pricey health care plans that often extend to retirement.
“Perhaps, for that reason, a space has opened up in which we won’t see these several million bonuses anymore.” Miners believe that failure to pass that bill could risk holding up talks even further and undermine the “key” mediator role of the government-appointed Labor Directorate, said Diego Hernandez, head of industry body Sonami, which represents mining companies operating in Chile.FILE PHOTO: Miners wait for transport inside the Codelco El Teniente copper mine, the world's largest underground copper mine near Machali, Chile, April 11, 2019.
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