Union at Barrick in Peru leaning toward strike Reuters |
LIMA, Oct 22 (Reuters) - Union workers at Barrick Gold's (ABX.TO: Quote, Profile, Research)(ABX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) Pierina mine in Peru voted on Monday in favor of a strike, but they have yet to pick a day to start the walkout and other workers still need to approve the plan. "We are waiting for the second round of voting," Carlos Zarate, the union's director, told Reuters. Officials from the union, the company and the government were slated to meet on Tuesday to see if a settlement over higher wages can be reached. "We'll see if we can constructively go forward," said Vince Borg, a Barrick representative. Walkouts have occurred this year at mines across Peru, a leading global metals producer, as high global metals prices encourage workers to ask for better pay. A nationwide strike that would affect the bulk of Peru's big mines is slated for Nov. 5. Peru is the world's fifth-largest gold producer and the Canadian company is the second-biggest gold producer in Peru, where it also operates the Lagunas Norte mine. |