News

On Friday, around 600 Prosegur and Brinks workers began a strike after failing to reach consensus in a collective bargaining dialogue that takes place every two years. Workers in Chile are demanding an increase in wages and bonuses, as well as an improvement in their working conditions. Police have used water cannons and tear gas on workers, and according to the union, the company has been illegally using violent strike breakers again.

According to the President of Prosegur Union Ltda, Hugo Munoz, workers are justifiably seeking an increase in wages and bonuses that is proportional to the value of the tasks they perform .  For now, no further negotiations have been scheduled and the strike is indefinite.

Unions affiliated to UNI Americas in Chile, such as Contracops, are closely following the development of the strike. Furthermore, the President of Contracops, Claudio Sagardias and the UNI Americas Coordinator have already visited striking workers in Chile.

Marvin Largaespada, Director of Property Services for UNI Americas said, “UNI Americas has already made contact with the union and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Prosegur and Brinks have once again shown their unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue with its employees.” 

Additionally, Prosegur's labour problems continue in Potsdam, Germany, now more than 2 weeks into a strike of cash-in-transit security guards.  This spells serious problems for Prosegur, as Germany is the company’s most important expansion market in Europe.  Prosegur has been unable to meet its obligations; reports are that numerous ATMs are without cash.  It’s a common refrain, the company has been unwilling to make a settlement offer that is acceptable to the security guards.