Puerto Caldera Halts Test Copper Shipment Amid Union Dispute
Cubierto por 2 fuentesPublicado
- mundo maritimoPuerto Caldera, en el norte de Chile, suspende embarque de prueba de cátodos de cobre
- Portal PortuarioPuerto Caldera suspende embarque de prueba con carga minera por diferencias con sindicato portuario
- Portal PortuarioConflicto sindical en Puerto Caldera enciende alarmas en Unión Portuaria de Chile
Puerto Caldera, in the Atacama Region, reported that it suspended a trial shipment of copper cathodes that was being prepared at the terminal. The company stated that the decision was formally notified and that threats of mobilization and work stoppage, attributed to Union N°1 of Port Workers of Caldera (Sindicato N°1 de Trabajadores Portuarios de Caldera), led to an unfavorable assessment of the conditions needed to carry out the operation smoothly and safely.
Purpose of the Trial
According to the company, the shipment aimed to assess the terminal's capacity to handle copper cathode cargo and open new opportunities linked to the mining sector—cargo that currently moves through ports in other regions of Chile. Puerto Caldera stated that over recent months it had worked to build trust among customers, shipping lines and mining suppliers, an effort that gained importance after difficulties experienced during the last fruit season, and it regretted the suspension as a lost opportunity for diversification and local employment.
The Union's Position
Union N°1 of Port Stevedores of Caldera (Sindicato N°1 de Estibadores Portuarios de Caldera) responded that the company had offered a 20% cut in wages for cargo it does not currently handle, as well as a wage adjustment for the fruit season far below what was agreed in previous years, both for a two-year term. The organization stated that it will not sign off on that cut because it would end up applying to all port workers, denied having asked any customer to cancel the operation, and said it maintains a job-sharing agreement with Union N°2 signed in July for the 2026-2027 season.
Response from the Port Workers' Union
The Chilean Port Workers' Confederation (Confederación Unión Portuaria de Chile) voiced its rejection of the conduct of Puerto Caldera S.A. and noted that the company, which currently only handles fruit, is seeking to bring in general cargo by offering a 20% cut in wages for that cargo along with a smaller adjustment for fruit. The confederation backed Union N°1's refusal to sign the wage cut, demanded that the offer be withdrawn, and warned that, should the company persist, it would consider union, administrative and legal action, including calling for mobilizations across the national port sector.
