© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: A view of BHP Billiton’s Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine, in northern Chile, in Antofagasta, Chile, March 31, 2008. Picture taken March 31, 2008. REUTERS /Iván Alvarado/File photo
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – The union of supervisors at Chile’s Escondida mine on Friday rejected a contract offer from mine owner BHP, paving the way for a strike, the union told Reuters, while the company said it would request mediation of the government.
The proposed contract was rejected with nearly 99% of the vote, according to the union, which has more than 900 members.
In a statement, the union said it would continue to pursue its goals, including “pay increases, equal pay for men and women, fair payment of bonuses and respect for working hours,” adding that it would use “all available means to achieve this.” . “
The union says BHP is seeking to reduce benefits and production bonuses while extending working hours.
The parties will begin a five-day mediation process under government supervision that can be extended another five days if the parties are close to reaching an agreement.
BHP said in a statement that one of the dialogue options was mandatory mediation with labor inspectors. If BHP does not officially request mediation, the strike would begin on October 4.
“The company reaffirms its permanent willingness to dialogue and seek a beneficial agreement for workers, which takes into account current challenges and long-term forecasts,” he added.
In the meantime, BHP said, the mine will continue to operate as normal.
Although the sprawling Escondida mine could continue operating even if supervisors walked off the job, a strike could cause bottlenecks or slowdowns in production.
Chile’s powerful workers’ union Unión 1 said it would stand in solidarity with Escondida supervisors and ensure that no “illegal replacements” came to work in the event of a work stoppage.
Escondida produced 1.05 million metric tons last year.