Over a dozen ports - including San Antonio, Chile’s largest port in the central region, and Iquique, Tocopilla, Huasco, Caldera and Chañaral in the north have all shutdown in a protest that has hurt copper, fruit and other exports for estimated $400m.
The first strike broke out in December in northern port Angamos after operator Ultraport declined to include non-union workers in salary talks. The terminal was completely paralysed for 16 days, especially impacting state mining copper company Codelco, which lost revenue of $130m as a result.
Last week, workers at five northern ports halted their activities to support Angamos workers. Workers at San Antonio, meanwhile, went on strike claiming allowances from 2005 to 2013.
Now southern port workers have walked out in support of a strike at northern terminals for benefits and union rights.
All seven ports in Biobío region - San Vicente, Talcahuano, Lirquén, Penco, Coronel, Jureles and Puchoco - were paralysed for a second time in one week. The terminals went on a two-day strike last week, and briefly ended the protest for a few days after the labor ministry's mediation but went back on strike after clashes between police officers and northern workers on last Monday 13 January and no progress in talks.
So far authorities have tried not to become involved. The government has committed to ensuring port access, but is not mediating between the parties.
Northern port Arica and Coquimbo in the central-north region, as well as Valparaíso - Chile's second largest port - in the central region remain operating as usual.
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