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SANTIAGO, Chile (Reuters) - Workers at Chilean rail company FCAB, which serves some of the world`s top copper producers, on Thursday rejected a new contract offer from the company and vowed to continue their nine-day strike.

Guillermo Gonzalez, president of the cargo workers union at FCAB, told Reuters by telephone that FCAB`s pay offer was too low and the union would press for a better deal.

"The strike continues. The latest company offer was not accepted," Gonzalez said. No new talks were scheduled for the time being, he added.

Some 365 unionized cargo workers at FCAB have been on strike since Dec. 7 after failing to reach a new salary deal with the company, which serves several copper giants, including No. 1 copper producer Codelco, a state-owned company, and Escondida, owned by global mining leader BHP Billiton (BLT.L: Quote, Profile, Research) (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile, Research).

Codelco is the world`s largest copper miner and Chile is the largest global producer of the red metal, so world markets are sensitive to any potential disruptions in supply.

FCAB, a part of the Chilean mining company Antofagasta Plc (ANTO.L: Quote, Profile, Research), says the strike has not affected copper supply.

Traders in copper futures from London to Shanghai were watching the strike talks for a potential resolution.

FCAB, or Ferrocarril de Antofagasta a Bolivia, operates in mineral-rich northern Chile, where the Zaldivar mine, owned by Canada`s Placer Dome, is also located.

The company, which has operated for more than 100 years without a shutdown, implemented a contingency plan when the strike began last week to guarantee shipments of copper and sulfuric acid.
 
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