BHP Escondida mine supervisors' union urges rejection of contract offer, strike looms

BHP

23/09/2026 14:10

SANTIAGO, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Unionized supervisors at BHP's Escondida copper mine in Chile will urge members to reject the company's latest contract offer, paving the way for a strike at the world's largest copper mine, the union reported.
• BHP presented the offer at the end of Tuesday's session in the formal negotiation process, which will be voted on by union members on September 28-30.
• The union board unanimously rejected the latest offer claiming it "lacks essential elements," according to union leader Alexis Barrera.
• He called on union members to vote for a strike.
• If members vote to reject the offer, a mandatory five-day government mediation follows before a legal strike can begin, with the period extendable by five more days by mutual agreement. 
• Workers have objected to provisions including task-based work requirements and a possible 14-14 day work/rest shift rotation during contingencies. 
• Escondida said the offer "contains improvements and new benefits over the current collective agreement, which is already a leading instrument in the industry for the supervisors and staff segment."
• The new contract comes amid lower production levels, cost pressures and an investment plan to maintain future productive capacity, according to the company. 
     

(Report by Fabian Cambero; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
((fabian.cambero@tr.com; +569 62479675, twitter: @fab_reuters))