Peru Natural Gas Workers Plan Strike

Natural gas workers in Peru plan to start a six-day strike on December 27 to push for better wages and other benefits after talks with Argentine energy company Pluspetrol broke down, the union SUTRAPPEC said on Tuesday.

 

Pluspetrol leads the consortium that develops Peru's Camisea fields, the source of the vast majority of the country's daily natural gas output of around 1.2 billion cubic feet.

 

SUTRAPPEC said in a statement that its members voted to start the strike at 0600 (1100 GMT) December 27. Demands include salary increases, protection from noxious chemicals and better food and telecommunications in worker camps.

 

The union said in early November it represents 193 of the 494 Camisea workers, and that a walkout would halt natural gas production in Peru.

 

Pluspetrol did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

 

Peru exports about 600 million cubic feet of liquefied natural gas (LNGLF) per day. Natural gas powers about half of the country's electrical generation.