P.M. BRIEFING : Arizona Copper Workers Strike

TUCSON — Asarco Inc.’s Ray unit was struck Sunday by unions representing about 700 copper workers. It was the first copper strike in Arizona since the turbulent Phelps Dodge strike seven years ago.

The old contract expired at midnight Saturday and contract talks broke off here around 4 a.m. Sunday, union and company officials said.

The union coalition had rejected the company’s final offer, which would have provided an average $2.50-an-hour wage increase over three years.

Robert Guadiana, the United Steelworkers official who heads the talks for the unions, said the 24-member union committee also had “significant concerns” over Asarco proposals he said would damage pension, insurance and disability benefits.

Guadiana also cited “forced overtime” rules as another problem.