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Workers at Chile’s state-owned copper company, Codelco, are contemplating the possibility of a strike if the company implements job cuts in response to a sharp decline in production, which has now reached its lowest point in 25 years. The head of the company’s union association, Amador Pantoja, made this announcement.
In an interview with Reuters, Pantoja, who serves as the president of the Federation of Copper Workers (FTC), an organization that unites the company’s unions, expressed the view that Codelco, as the world’s largest copper producer, should prioritize bringing its structural projects, which have encountered numerous delays, into production.
Pantoja emphasized the critical situation, stating, “We have been vocal about the extreme stress our workforce is currently under,” and pointed out that the number of workers has decreased from 19,000 in 2015 to 12,000. “We cannot tolerate any workforce reductions; we simply cannot afford it.”
He added that the unions are keeping all options on the table to exert pressure on the company, preventing any decisions that may lead to a reduction in the company’s workforce and pushing for the preservation of existing agreements. Pantoja explained, “We have never ruled out any actions, as these are the tools we have to defend our interests.”
While acknowledging the necessity for adjustments, he warned that the company might face unexpected consequences if it insists on reducing the workforce. Pantoja also expressed concern about the increasing number of contractors, which has risen to 60,000, with 23,000 involved in production, a development he believes contradicts prior agreements.
He said, “We are witnessing the erosion of commitments we had previously established,” and announced that the FTC would host a workshop in the first half of November to present their perspective on the situation and propose solutions for the company. One of the proposed solutions involves transferring maintenance responsibilities from contractors to employees, as Pantoja believes this change is one of the primary impediments to current operations.
Pantoja noted that the company’s current difficulties are cyclical and pointed out that workers have collaborated with the company in the past to find resolutions. He reiterated the unions’ opposition to any attempts to privatize Codelco or allow private capital to enter the company, emphasizing that maintaining full state ownership is non-negotiable for them.
