SÃO PAULO — Unionized workers at Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) have resolved to go on a 24-hour "surprise stop" within the next 30 days to protest the company’s "inefficient and uncontrolled" practices.

The Chilean Copper Workers’ Federation (FTC), which represents most of Codelco’s workers, made the decision after a meeting in the Chilean capital of Santiago. The resolution was supported unanimously by the 22 worker organizations that form the federation.

"The Congress of the Copper Workers’ Federation resolves to initiate a mobilization plan which will culminate within 30 days in a complete shutdown of all of Codelco’s Chile activities and suspend relations with the administration of the company (due to the) haughtiness, arrogance and blatant inefficiency of its executives regarding the workers and the country," the FTC said.

The 24-hour "surprise stop" could be extended to more days, depending on the company’s response, according to Chilean newspaper La Tercera.

The FTC, which is demanding work stability, has criticized outsourcing, calling it an "inefficient and uncontrolled" practice.

Codelco declined to comment.

It is not the first time that Santiago-based Codelco has faced protests from workers. Last November, union workers blocked the entrance to the Chuquicamata project, demanding job stability.

Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, last year reported its lowest output since 2009.

A version of this article was first published by AMM sister publication Metal Bulletin.