Chile Tactical: Unionized port workers call for 24-hour strike across ports nationwide starting at 08:00 (local time) on April 4; allot for disruptions

Apr 2024

11:22 UTC

The Union Portuaria de Chile (UPC), the union representing over 6,000 port workers across 26 ports nationwide, has announced a national strike of three -shifts over approximately 24 hours, starting at 08:00 (local time) on April 4.
The strike has been called due to the alleged lack of communication with authorities regarding the laying-off of at least 100 workers at the Port of Tocopilla in Antofagasta on March 31, following the implementation of decarbonization policies aiming to reduce reliance on coal-powered energy generation.
Additionally, UPC is calling on the government to address concerns regarding abandoned port facilities, and safety concerns at active facilities, as well as to demand regulatory frameworks preventing alleged labor abuse.
Previously, UPC carried out a general strike on October 4, 2023, adhered to by workers at 22 ports, calling for increased legislative attention towards demands for modernization, revised social security guarantees, safe working conditions, and improved healthcare. Additionally, port workers at ports located in the Bio Bio region, including at Talcahuano Port in Concepcion, conducted a protest march in Concepcion city.

Based on precedent, the call for a nationwide strike by the UPC is likely to be widely adhered to, causing significant disruptions to port services nationwide.
The paralysis of port activities is likely to cause disruptions to business and commercial operations, including backlogs, thereby delaying sea-borne freight movement on April 4.
While no associated protests have been called as of writing, small-scale demonstrations remain possible in the vicinity of ports across the nation, particularly at major ports located in Valparaiso city, Valparaiso, and Concepcion city, Concepcion as well as at Tocopilla, Antofagasta. Potential protests and demonstrations will likely draw a turnout in the mid-to-high dozens and transpire peacefully.
Consequently, localized disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of potential protest sites on April 4.

Those operating or residing in Chile on April 4 are advised to allot for disruptions to port operations due to the planned strike.
Allot for disruptions to supply chains due to disruptions to sea-borne freight transport services.

Medium

Chile

Low

Credible

The Union Portuaria de Chile (UPC), the union representing over 6,000 port workers across 26 ports nationwide, has announced a national strike of three -shifts over approximately 24 hours, starting at 08:00 (local time) on April 4.
The strike has been called due to the alleged lack of communication with authorities regarding the laying-off of at least 100 workers at the Port of Tocopilla in Antofagasta on March 31, following the implementation of decarbonization policies aiming to reduce reliance on coal-powered energy generation.
Additionally, UPC is calling on the government to address concerns regarding abandoned port facilities, and safety concerns at active facilities, as well as to demand regulatory frameworks preventing alleged labor abuse.
Previously, UPC carried out a general strike on October 4, 2023, adhered to by workers at 22 ports, calling for increased legislative attention towards demands for modernization, revised social security guarantees, safe working conditions, and improved healthcare. Additionally, port workers at ports located in the Bio Bio region, including at Talcahuano Port in Concepcion, conducted a protest march in Concepcion city.

Based on precedent, the call for a nationwide strike by the UPC is likely to be widely adhered to, causing significant disruptions to port services nationwide.
The paralysis of port activities is likely to cause disruptions to business and commercial operations, including backlogs, thereby delaying sea-borne freight movement on April 4.
While no associated protests have been called as of writing, small-scale demonstrations remain possible in the vicinity of ports across the nation, particularly at major ports located in Valparaiso city, Valparaiso, and Concepcion city, Concepcion as well as at Tocopilla, Antofagasta. Potential protests and demonstrations will likely draw a turnout in the mid-to-high dozens and transpire peacefully.
Consequently, localized disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of potential protest sites on April 4.

Those operating or residing in Chile on April 4 are advised to allot for disruptions to port operations due to the planned strike.
Allot for disruptions to supply chains due to disruptions to sea-borne freight transport services.

Medium

Chile

Low

Credible

Labor Action