BHP says in wage deal with Chile Spence strikers

SANTIAGO, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Global miner BHP Billiton (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) (BLT.L: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Sunday it had reached a wage deal with the union of workers who have mounted a 41-day strike at its Spence deposit in Chile, and was now waiting for miners to vote on it.

BHP said in a statement the deal included a 4 percent wage increase for union workers during the duration of the 41-month contract, as well as bonuses.

If approved by the miners in a vote to be held later on Sunday, the deal would head off threats of wider disruptions at other BHP deposits, which have fanned fears of supply disruptions in the world's top copper producer. (Reporting by Alonso Soto and Simon Gardner) ((simon.gardner@thomsonreuters.com; +569-9818-8538; Reuters Messaging: simon.gardner.reuters.com@reuters.net))