Chilean port strike finally over

The president of the San Antonio dockworkers, Sergio Vargas, claimed that the settlement had got close to what had been sought, especially since port authorities promised to reinstate sacked workers.

Port companies later issued a statement, backing the agreement, which aimed to “end the illegal strike started on 3rd January”.

The initial dispute began following a demand that retrospective payments be made to workers who had been docked pay for taking a half-hour break.

Nevertheless, the eventual settlement makes no mention of this, but rather guarantees that each eligible worker will receive a one-off payment of $2,800.

Mr Vargas also noted that a working group had been established to hammer out details, although he noted that the strike had been “a great victory for worker solidarity”.

Nevertheless, the port companies said that they supported the agreement because it would put an end to the damage that had been inflicted on port users.

“We want to preserve this country’s reputation as a reliable and efficient global trader,” they said in a statement.