Unions at Chile's Escondida mine reject bid to pause contract talks after worker's death
BHP•Unions at Chile's Escondida mine rejected management's request to pause contract talks after a worker died, so negotiations will continue on schedule. Supervisors are due to vote on the company's latest offer from September 28 to 30, and their union has urged them to reject it.
1. Talks continue after fatality
Management sought a temporary suspension of contract negotiations after a worker died in an accident earlier this week. Both the supervisors' union and Union 1 rejected the request, and talks will continue on schedule.
2. Mine operations resume
Escondida's operations were halted after the accident and gradually resumed on Thursday while its cause remained under investigation. Union 1 said only part of the operation was halted after intervention by mining regulator Sernageomin and called it unacceptable that much of the mine continued operating.
3. Vote could lead to strike
Unionized supervisors are due to vote from September 28 to September 30 on the company's latest contract offer. Their union has urged members to reject it, a move that could open the door to a strike. BHP operates Escondida; Rio Tinto holds a 30% stake and Japan-based JECO owns 12.5%.
