15 September, 2011
In Chile, a recent strike by union members of Sindicato No. 1 Escondida of Chile’s Federation of Miners (FMC) at the world’s largest copper mine galvanized mining unions across the South American country like never before. In unprecedented solidarity, mineworkers’ unions of the private-sector FMC and those at state-run Codelco, the Federation of Workers of Cobre (FTC), are uniting to lay claim to a bigger portion of the world’s copper profits for all Chileans.
Recent joint meetings of the federations have discussed how companies circumvent labour laws and collective agreement conventions at the expense of mineworkers, and how natural resources are exploited to the detriment of Chile’s national character. Unions are also united – at the private-sector multinationals to the Cobres at Codelco – resist privatisation of Codelco.
Another testament to FMC and FTC unity is at a time when Chile’s ministries are eager to meet with them, the federations insist that such meetings will not happen until leaders of the federations meet first.
The labour-management match in Chile happens at a time of soaring demand and high prices for Chile’s main export, copper. The same demand and volatile pricing of the red metal worldwide has created a “Together We Can” cry that says Chile’s mineworkers believe unified action can affect the country for the better.
Much was made of the fact that on a single day – 30 July – 10% of the world’s copper production stopped when FMC miners at Doña Inés Collahuasi (AngloAmerican and Xstrata) joined a strike by Sindicato No. 1 at Minera Escondida Ltd. (BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto) in a display of simple unity. Although grievances reflected separate sets of negligent circumstances at the two mining complexes, the unity of purpose was clear.
FMC President Cristián Arancibia said that workers are hearing a national calling, that unions of his federation feel a responsibility to the people and communities of mining regions. He said agreement has been reached with the FTC that mineworkers will not be “accomplices to Chile’s resources sold away for foreign investment.”
This very specifically is FMC recognition that Codelco is chipping away at FTC’s membership in order to partially privatise the world’s largest copper company.
On 30 July, union branches of the FTC supported the symbolic strike of the two FMC branches. Now with common understanding that tripartite dialogue will occur over Chile’s export revenues, the unity, decisiveness, and single voice of FMC and FTC will ensure that all Chileans have a stake in copper.
Recent joint meetings of the federations have discussed how companies circumvent labour laws and collective agreement conventions at the expense of mineworkers, and how natural resources are exploited to the detriment of Chile’s national character. Unions are also united – at the private-sector multinationals to the Cobres at Codelco – resist privatisation of Codelco.
Another testament to FMC and FTC unity is at a time when Chile’s ministries are eager to meet with them, the federations insist that such meetings will not happen until leaders of the federations meet first.
The labour-management match in Chile happens at a time of soaring demand and high prices for Chile’s main export, copper. The same demand and volatile pricing of the red metal worldwide has created a “Together We Can” cry that says Chile’s mineworkers believe unified action can affect the country for the better.
Much was made of the fact that on a single day – 30 July – 10% of the world’s copper production stopped when FMC miners at Doña Inés Collahuasi (AngloAmerican and Xstrata) joined a strike by Sindicato No. 1 at Minera Escondida Ltd. (BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto) in a display of simple unity. Although grievances reflected separate sets of negligent circumstances at the two mining complexes, the unity of purpose was clear.
FMC President Cristián Arancibia said that workers are hearing a national calling, that unions of his federation feel a responsibility to the people and communities of mining regions. He said agreement has been reached with the FTC that mineworkers will not be “accomplices to Chile’s resources sold away for foreign investment.”
This very specifically is FMC recognition that Codelco is chipping away at FTC’s membership in order to partially privatise the world’s largest copper company.
On 30 July, union branches of the FTC supported the symbolic strike of the two FMC branches. Now with common understanding that tripartite dialogue will occur over Chile’s export revenues, the unity, decisiveness, and single voice of FMC and FTC will ensure that all Chileans have a stake in copper.