Walmart Chile, workers’ union sign new contract

SANTIAGO – Lider, Wal-Mart Stores Inc’s main supermarket chain in Chile, has averted a possible strike after signing a new work contract with its employees, according to the workers’ union.

Walmart Chile workers’ union votes to go on strike for higher pay

After weeks of negotiations, the 16,500-member Lider Inter-Company Union (SIL) voted to accept the company’s latest offer. While the workers had voted to walk off in late July, they kept working while union leaders and company representatives attempted to negotiate a deal.

“The document … is expected to be signed on Wednesday,” SIL said in a statement.

Walmart Chile, Wal-Mart’s Chile subsidiary, operates 380 stores in the South American country, largely under the Lider brand.

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The union representing workers at Lider, encompasses 16,500 workers, one of the South American country’s largest unions. Some workers have been demonstrating outside stores across the country in recent months as they have pushed their demands for better pay.