More than 3 000 unionised workers at Codelco’s sprawling Chuquicamata copper mine walked off the job early Friday morning after failing to reach a labour deal earlier this week with Codelco, the world’s top producer of the metal. Chuquicamata unions 1, 2, and 3 rejected a contract offer from the state miner on Wednesday, saying it did not meet key demands, including an adequate health care plan, fair treatment of workers and retirement benefits. The three unions represent 80% of the mine’s workforce.
