Cerro Verde strike may end next week if Peru rules against it

An ongoing strike at Peru's top copper mine, Cerro Verde, may end next week if the labour ministry declares it illegal, the head of the union said on Tuesday after negotiations with owner Freeport-McMoRan ended without an agreement on labour demands. Workers began the strike on Friday to demand better family health benefits and a bigger share of the mine's profits, but they risk losing their jobs if the ministry says the strike is illegal and they do not return to work, said union president Zenon Mujica.