More than 3,000 unionized workers at Codelco’s sprawling Chuquicamata copper mine walked off the job early Friday morning after failing to reach a labor deal earlier this week with Codelco, the world’s top producer of the metal. Chuiquicamata unions 1, 2, and 3 rejected a contract offer from the state miner on Wednesday, saying it did not meet key demands, including an adequate health care plan, fair treatment of workers and retirement benefits. The three unions represent 80% of the mine’s workforce. Union leaders told reporters the strike kicked off with the first shift of the morning at 5 a.m. local time (0900 ... (full story)