Workers at the Chuquicamata mine in Chile rejected a wage offer from the owner on Tuesday. An official from one of the three unions that represents the workers said that the offer was too low and that they were waiting on a final offer. He also said that they are preparing to strike if the workers reject the final offer. The contract expires on December 31st, and a strike could happen in the first week of January. Workers blocked access to the mine for a day two weeks ago over wage talks. A work stoppage could cost millions and raise the global price of copper.
See "Chuqui mine workers scrap early wage offer-union", Alonso Soto, Reuters, December 22, 2009