Sintracarbon, the largest workers' union at the Cerrejon coal mine in Colombia, kicked off a strike Aug. 31 after negotiations with management collapsed, Reuters reported Aug. 31.

About 99% of Sintracarbon union members agreed in August to down tools to demand a 6% salary hike in addition to health, education and housing benefits. The management offered an increase equal to the inflation rate in 2020 and 2021.

Colombia had 3.80% inflation in 2019, and its central bank expects inflation to end this year at between 1% and 2%, Reuters noted.

The union is also protesting a new work schedule, which it has labeled "the death shift," and said Cerrejon is reducing costs by cutting benefits for workers, according to the newswire.

BHP Group, Glencore PLC and Anglo American PLC equally own the Cerrejon mine, which reportedly employs more than 5,500 workers, including 4,600 unionized workers.

The mine's management said they have implemented a contingency plan to manage the industrial action.