Strikes that have halted the coal mining operations of multinational Drummond in northern Colombia will continue as negotiations failed on Tuesday.
Union workers declared an indefinite end to operations on July 23, after negotiations failed between the Sintramienergetica union and Drummond over wage increases.
MORE: Strikes halt US coal giant Drummond in northern Colombia
According to Reuters, Drummond, Colombia’s second largest coal producer on Tuesday offered miners represented by Sintramienergetica a 5% pay rise, an increase from its earlier proposal of 4.75%. The multinational also increased their offer of a one time bonus to $4,500 from $3,700.
The union however, has demanded a 9% pay increase with smaller inflation linked increments.
Sintramienergetica represents 5,000 Drummond employees, approximately half of its workforce.
The union also rejected an offer made by Drummond to negotiate alongside two other striking unions, insisting that they wish to negotiate alone.
“We won’t accept these sorts of negotiations” the Unions vice president told Reuters, before conceding that Sintramienergetica remains willing to seek an agreement with Drummond.
Production from Colombia’s largest coal producer, Cerrejon, was also interrupted this year when workers went on a month long strike. Negotiations ended with a 5.1% salary increase.