Union workers and Cerrejon LLC, Colombia’s largest coal miner, on Monday reportedly reached a tenuous agreement.
“After arduous negotiations…the Sintracarbon (union) commission and Cerrejon have built agreements to govern the 2013 – 2014 Collective Bargaining Agreement, if they are approved by Sintracarbon’s members,” read a statement from the union which represents about 5,000 workers.
The members of the union’s negotiating committee will bring the agreement to the workers Monday and Tuesday and the strike will end only when it has been ratified.
The miners went on strike on February 7 demanding an increase in wages and better health benefits.
BACKGROUND: Labor dispute at Colombia’s most profitable coal mine continues
European coal prices for next year fell to a record low once it became clear that an agreement was likely.
Sources
- European 2014 coal falls to record as Colombia may end strike (Business week)
- Boletin prensa no 37 (Sintracarbon)