CCU Employees Protest Against Layoffs and Reduction of Rights Amid Rising Tensions

Original article: Trabajadores del holding CCU, propiedad del Grupo Luksic, protestaron contra despidos y recortes de derechos

By Andrés Figueroa Cornejo

On August 20, leaders from the National Federation of Workers of CCU (FNT-CCU) held a historic peaceful protest against the erosion of hard-won employee rights outside CCU’s corporate headquarters in Providencia, Santiago.

This mobilization was ignited by what labor organizations labeled as «the fuel crisis». On August 10, sales employees nationwide faced an unexpected cut of up to 50% in their mileage allowance.

Sales representatives often use their personal vehicles for work, and the allowance is intended to cover fuel and vehicle maintenance costs. At that time, employees expressed their dissatisfaction by clocking in but skipping the morning company meeting.

Rodrigo Oyarzún, president of the National Federation of CCU Workers, noted amid chants, banners, and displays, that the protest reflects management’s failure to address the «fuel crisis», which they foresaw would escalate into a larger conflict.

«This issue was merely the last straw in a buildup of discontent among the sales force due to excessive workloads, successive layoffs, and the impending merger of the commercial divisions of Pisquera de Chile and Viña San Pedro, which threatens to eliminate 50% of jobs in both companies,» he explained.

«We demand an end to the cuts and insist on open dialogue with the company,» Oyarzún added.

-The labor environment, given the ongoing reforms and proposed laws, is not encouraging…

-The national context is largely shaped by government proposals aimed at undermining the few rights workers have gained during our democratic period.

We see that the current crisis is being unfairly placed on the working class. Naturally, to maintain profits, CCU is shifting the burden of employee work-related expenses, such as the reduction in fuel reimbursement for their vehicles.

The government is imposing the conditions of class struggle, and what we are experiencing is just one of many manifestations of this reality.

-What about the layoffs?

-As is typical in a capitalist system, technology is displacing human labor without social safeguards for workers. We have no objections to the advancement and application of new technologies in the workplace, but we believe that these innovations should serve humanity, not just the profits of the wealthy.

Today, we see that automation and artificial intelligence processes are being used to enrich the already wealthy while impoverishing those with little.

Layoffs = Increased Workload for Those Who Remain

Ricardo Camus, national director of the CCU union federation, highlighted that the mass layoffs of salespeople in recent years have resulted in increased workloads for remaining employees due to company restructuring and the adoption of digital platforms in the commercial sector.

-What about the salespeople who stay in the company?

-We have seen a rise in issues related to mental and physical health. We have addressed these concerns with the company, but to no avail.

Additionally, FNT-CCU leader Rafael Rivera noted that «we protest because, unfortunately, discussions with the company have only served to dilute our actions. In the case of the ‘fuel crisis’, the company has adopted a dictatorial and arbitrary approach. Whenever financial matters are involved, differences must be mutually agreed upon, as mandated by law.»

Rivera pointed out that «regarding the applications imposed by the company, salespeople feel threatened by layoffs and overwork. In fact, we have to sell twice as many products, yet our compensation has only increased by 2.3%.”

Furthermore, Rodolfo Almonacid, national director of the multi-union organization, underscored that their demonstration is «in response to unilateral measures imposed by the company in the commercial sector. Naturally, union leaders from the industrial area are here as well; we stand united in our fight.»

CCU is owned by the ultra-wealthy Luksic Group, one of the most powerful capitalist conglomerates in Chile. According to Forbes, the conglomerate ranked 35th globally in 2026, with an estimated wealth of $52.6 billion.

We will continue to provide updates.