Mining giant BHP Billiton Ltd
(ASX:BHP) has reportedly amended a contract the miner is offering to unionised employees at the company’s Spence copper mine in Chile.
According to a report in the Australian from the Dow Jones Newswires, a spokesperson for the Spence union says there is still room for this offer to be substantially better, but that negotiations have advanced.
The Dow Jones Newswires says workers are asking for a 5.5 per cent real wage increase, as well as health and social benefits.
BHP and the union are in a five day government mediation period.
The Spence mine in Chile produced approximately 165,000 tonnes of copper cathodes last year. BHP also owns and operates the Escondida mine Chile.
BHP’s 2009 net profit took a massive fall from its high of US$15.4 billion in 2008.
