Compania Minera Zaldivar S.A., a 50/50 joint venture between Antofagasta PLC and Barrick Gold Corp. in Chile, averted a strike at the Zaldivar copper operation after unionized workers approved a new three-year labor deal, Mining.com reported Sept. 7.
The new deal, which was accepted by 53% of the unionized workers, offers a 1% salary readjustment plus a bonus of about US$11,943 per employee. According to the report, the remaining 47% sought for a bonus of over US$18,000 per worker, which was part of an earlier proposal by the union.
On top of the new labor deal, the consortium will introduce new measures that would improve the workers' quality of life, including educational and healthcare benefits.
In late August, workers threatened to launch a general strike after 94% of workers thumbed down Minera Zaldívar's initial labor proposal and the union disputed Antofagasta's claims that a lack of cash flow is a hindrance to accept the proposed bonus and salary increase.
