Thousands of Chileans clashed with police, blocked roads and set fire to buses on Monday to protest Chile’s state-owned mining company Codelco. “We are going to intensify the strike,” said Cristian Cuevas, a spokesman for the newly formed Confederation of Copper Workers (CTC) that comprises 30,000 subcontracted workers at Codelco. Contract workers with the state copper giant are demanding higher wages, bonuses, access to health care and education benefits. The price of copper has almost tripled in three years. “We will not end this movement until a negotiation with Codelco, with the government, is resumed,” added union leader Cuevas.
Cyril Mychalejko for Upside Down World, June 27
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