Workers at Chile's Chuquicamata start strike

As expected, unionized workers at Chilean state copper producer Codelco's Chuquicamata mine began a strike early Monday.

Unions no.1, 2 and 3 from Chuquicamata division and union no.1 from Codelco Antofagasta started the strike on 3am on Monday.

"Having already exhausted all instances to have a participatory dialogue which allowed to 'influence and to be influenced' ... we make effective the divisional strike," said the statement.

The unions demand the reintegration of two workers who were dismissed "unfairly" under labor law article 161. This article permits employers to dismiss employees due to 'company necessities' such as low productivity, market conditions or modernization.

Moreover, the unions want to form workgroups with managers to discuss decisions about retirement plans, employability proposals, Chuquicamata's transformation to an underground operation, redesigns, structural projects and investments.

Other demands include adhering to the gender diversity law and ceasing anti-union practices.

"Finally, we warn that if as a consequence of this strike, a worker is dismissed, this movement will be of indefinite character, with the support from private mining unions," ended the statement.

Chuquicamata's unions asked union federation FTC for support, but the federation voted to reject the strikes in Chuquicamata and their own divisions.