Southern Copper Corp. has signed an agreement with three minority unions representing approximately 120 workers, while more than 3,000 workers continue to threaten a strike. The majority union, FNTMMSP, has given SCC a 15-day deadline to negotiate with workers at its Toquepala and Cuajone mines and Ilo smelter over a 15% wage increase requested last month.

FNTMMSP staged a two-day strike in December and has continued to threaten further strike action should the company not increase its initial offer of a 5.5% wage increase.