According to the results of the “5th Study on Collective Negotiations in the Mining Industry” by Vantaz Group, although conciliation and the search for agreements prevailed in collective negotiations in large-scale mining, the processes were not free of difficulties.
2023 was the second year in a row without strikes in the Chilean mining industry. However, this was made possible by mediation to avoid major disputes and by the negotiation of various "non-monetary" benefits, which, although already in play in previous years, became very present last year.
Vantaz Group has been carrying out this research every year for the past five years, with the aim of visualizing how discussions between workers, employees and mining companies evolve over time. In this way, the consulting firm analyzes the factors involved in the conversation and draws conclusions that are then useful for discussing and understanding how these processes work in mining.
Daniela Desormeaux, Director of Studies at Vantaz Group, explains that thanks to this analysis “it has been possible to identify that, for example, today there are other variables that are on the table when negotiating, other issues that go beyond the bonus or the salary readjustment. For example, the phenomenon of the greater presence of women in mining”.
In the 2023 negotiations, there was a greater demand for non-monetary benefits, including greater labor flexibility, changes in shifts, better access to teleworking and optimization of health coverage, among other demands of unionized workers.
Improve negotiation confidentiality
In this fifth edition of the study, there was less availability of information than in previous years. In other words, the processes were handled in a more reserved manner between the companies and the unions. It was only possible to obtain information on 13 of the 24 negotiations that took place.
However, in the cases with available information, 62% of the negotiations were "regulated," meaning that they were subject to all the rules established by the Labor Code. This is different from the situation in 2022, where most of the negotiations were settled prematurely.
According to the Mining Council, 42 collective bargaining processes are scheduled for 2024, which would impact 20,000 people. This means that in 2024, 36% of the total number of unionized workers in large-scale mining in Chile will collectively negotiate their benefits, which will be 75% more than in 2023.
To review the complete study, download here
