Freeport Indonesia workers on strike

Workers at copper and gold miner PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), a unit of Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold Inc went on a strike on Monday, the company?s spokesman told Petromindo.Com.

The company?s labor union members realized their threat to strike despite the company?s efforts to negotiate mutual work agreement for the next two years, which will be effective in October 2011, PTFI spokesman Ramdani Sirait said on Monday.

Leaders of the union failed to meet the management due to confusion in the organization?s board following a change of guard there. The company, however, maintains communication with the union and employees and calls on them to resume work while ways to solve the dispute are being sought to avoid impacts of the strike on the company and employees.

PTFI will work with representatives of the labor union to find a solution that is agreed upon by both parties.

The strike, however, does not affect delivery of concentrates so far, he said. (godang)