Rio Tinto Minerals’ subsidiary US Borax has locked out employees at its Californian operations, after five months of negotiations with representatives from the Local 30 branch of the International Longshore & Warehouse Union (ILWU) failed to secure a new labour agreement.
Borax, the world’s largest borates producer, said it had offered “fair wages and benefits” to staff, including a 2% annual wage rise, an annual performance bonus, a $4,000 signing on bonus, 80% coverage of health care insurance costs and an early retirement package for eligible employees.
The dispute is reportedly due to the new contract basing shift assignments and promotions on experience, skills and performance, while it was previously based on years of service.
“We offered...