Copper mine workers in Chile are expected to avoid a strike by voting today to accept Codelco's latest offer

Workers at the Chuquicamata copper mine in Chile, one of the world’s largest, are expected to avoid a strike by voting today in favor of a wage offer from state-owned Codelco.

Union leaders say tense negotiations resulted in an offer that will prevent the threatened strike at the mine, which reportedly produces about 4% of the copper used in the world.

Miners have sought more benefits and threatened strikes as the government, despite economic difficulties worldwide, has benefited from rising copper prices.

Victor Galleguillos, a union leader, told Radio Cooperativa: “They [the miners] will vote with their conscience and will accept this offer.” 

-- Efrain Hernandez Jr.