Chile Collahuasi at "war" with union to end strike

Chile's Collahuasi mine's bold movnessary gold mining equipmente to give workers a "final" wage offer and cut off negotiations has widened the divide between the world's No. 3 copper deposit and the union as the strike entered its 14th day on Thursday. The mine, which yields 3.3 percent of the world's mined copper, or 1,500 tonnes per day, is betting the new offer will be adopted by most union workers starting on Friday as the stoppage is likely taking a toll on operations.

This is the biggest strike among privately owned mines in Chile since a 26-day stoppage at the world's No. 1 copper deposit, Escondida, in 2006. Collahuasi, which insists output is normal under a contingency plan, will pay $29,000 in cash for employees who return to work before Nov. 23. Workers who stay put will miss the offer, but not be fired, a mine spokeswoman said. Union leaders have said workers will ignore the offer and stay out to demand better wages. Some workers say the mine is "desperate" to end the strike to halt further output losses.