Labor Woes Spread From Copper to Lithium in Major Exporter (1)

Chile’s labor woes are spreading from copper to lithium, as members of a union at one of Albemarle Corp.’s sprawling brine-processing operations walked off the job.

The 135 members of the Salar union began a strike Wednesday after failing to reach a wage agreement in collective bargaining with management.

Brine pools at the Albemarle Lithium mine in Calama, Antofagasta region, Chile.

Photographer: Cristobal Olivares/Bloomberg

In a letter, union leaders accuse the company of anti-union practices and said they are pushing for improvements in working conditions and wage equality. The company said it regrets the union’s decision and remains confident of reaching a deal as it has without disputes with three other unions.

Albemarle ...