Original article: Sindicato Chuquicamata pide a ministro Quiroz que «no pase gato por liebre»: «Privatizar Codelco jamás»
The Board of the Chuquicamata Union voiced its concerns regarding the statements and proposals concerning the future of Codelco, «especially in the public debate linked to Jorge Quiroz and other members of the Corporation’s Board,» they stated in a public declaration.
«In our view, the repeated exclusively negative assessments could instill the idea that the state-owned company has no future and create space for weakening or privatization initiatives,» the workers argued.
They reminded that Codelco «does not belong to a government or a passing administration: it belongs to all Chileans.»
«Generations of workers have contributed to its establishment. We acknowledge its challenges of debt, aging facilities, lower ore grades, and modernization; however, the response cannot consist of reducing its assets or halting strategic investments,» added the Union.
Subsequently, they demanded «thorough, independent, and transparent investigations into potential irregularities and poor decisions. Accountability must be established where it belongs.»
«We reject that these situations are used to indiscriminately discredit the Corporation or blame its workers for decisions made by upper management,» the declaration emphasized.
«Being State-Owned Is Not Enough If Capacities Are Lost»
For the Chuquicamata Union, «legally maintaining Codelco as a state-owned enterprise does not guarantee its strength alone,» warning that «the sale of assets, reduction of investments, outsourcing of essential functions, and neglecting projects can progressively weaken its strategic capability.»
On this point, they reiterated that «Chile must move towards integrated, industrialized mining with greater added value. Strengthening our smelters and refineries, recovering productive capacities, and incorporating technology are strategic priorities. Smelting and refining copper in Chile is a true patriotic act.»
Union Proposals
The Chuquicamata Union ultimately presented a series of proposals regarding the situation of Codelco, reaffirming the need for a significant National Agreement to safeguard the mining company.
«We propose to protect its 100% state-owned character and its strategic assets; establish long-term capitalization; continue with rigorously evaluated projects; recover internal capacities; promote smelting and refining; modernize governance; and constitute a national table with the State, Codelco, unions, and specialists,» the workers listed.
They also made a «public call to the labor directors of Codelco, Mr. Calderón and Mr. Díaz, to clearly address the damage that, in our view, is being caused to the image of our main state-owned company by the way its Board has publicly handled the Corporation’s difficulties.»
«Do you share these actions and statements? As members of that collegiate body, it is their responsibility to clarify their position to the workers and the public,» demanded the Chuquicamata Union.
«We call on the copper union organizations, their workers, and all citizens to remain at maximum alert against any initiatives that seek to weaken, fragment, or privatize our main state-owned company,» concludes the declaration.
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