Brazilian postal workers voted to strike last week (w/c 17 Sept.) after negotiations broke down between their union federation, FENTECT and the Brazilian post office, Empresa Brasileira e Telgrafos (ECT), known as Correios.
Negotiations had been ongoing since July before impasse was reached. The union's demands included starting wage increases to reflect the growth in Correios and to offset inflation, the hiring of 30,000 more staff, and an end to the outsourcing of postal work.
The union estimated at least 100,000 workers from at least twenty-six of FENTECT's unions walked out last week after ECT ceased bargaining. The dispute was referred to a mediator from the Superior Labor Court who offered a proposed settlement on Thursday. FENTECT reports that it was prepared to accept the mediator's proposal, but Correios rejected the deal.
FENTECT has said that strikes may continue through this week as it seeks to reach a negotiated agreement. On Monday, 24 September, thousands of FENTECT members demonstrated in front of ECT headquarters in Brasilia. A second mediation hearing is scheduled for Tuesday 25 September. Correios, for its part, has demanded and received a partial injunction which subjects the union to steep fines if fewer than 40% of staff attend work.
