Chilean casino workers avert strike with last-minute bargaining win

The union representing dealers and cashiers at the Enjoy Coquimbo casino has reached a successful collective agreement forcing management to back down just moments before a legal strike was set to begin.

The dispute began when Enjoy Coquimbo management unilaterally refused to engage with the union bargaining proposal. This triggered immediate union mobilisation and a strike vote that passed with overwhelming support.

Francisco Muñoz, president of the union of Enjoy Coquimbo, stressed the strength and unity of the workers: “The unity, belief and responsibility with which we approached this collective bargaining process allowed us to achieve a victory that strengthens us as a union. It reaffirms the legitimacy of our struggle in defence of our rights and shows that dialogue—which the company always refused—must always prevail over the dispute and unfair treatment.”

The company demonstrated a complete and disability to work constructively with the workers who keep the business running. The breakthrough came minutes before the legal strike action was set to start.

Negotiations, which began on 28 April, focused on achieving wage increases and safeguarding core working conditions. These included the preservation of a 37-hour work week, three days off per week (including weekends), and guaranteed vacation time during the holiday season—all of which the company attempted to roll back during bargaining process.

The union in Enjoy Coquimbo becomes the first union to complete collective bargaining under the company’s new administration, establishing a precedent for future negotiations.

UNI Global Union celebrates this hard-fought victory and stands in solidarity with the union members at Enjoy Coquimbo. Their courage and unity show that when workers stand together, they can push back against corporate greed and win.