Union Accuses BHP of Anti-Union Practices Amid Contract Negotiations

The union at BHP's Escondida mine in Chile accuses the company of 'anti-union practices' for presenting a contract offer outside the government-mandated mediation process. The union claims the offer was made illegally, bypassing the formal negotiation protocol, and alleges bad faith by BHP.

The union representing workers at BHP's Escondida mine in Chile accused the company on Monday of undertaking 'anti-union practices' by making a contract offer outside a government-mandated mediation process. The mediation, aimed at averting a strike following the workers' rejection of a previous offer, was set to expire at midnight on Monday.

In a memo to members seen by Reuters, the union stated that BHP made the offer illegally on Monday afternoon while negotiations were ongoing. 'The company has spread this offer among the workers without presenting it to the Union Negotiating Commission as required,' the memo read.

The union memo described the action as showing 'clear bad faith' on the part of BHP. The offer reportedly included a bonus equivalent to approximately $28,900 per union member. BHP and union representatives were scheduled to meet later on Monday evening in the northern Chilean city of Antofagasta. BHP did not respond to requests for comment.

(With inputs from agencies.)