Metal workers end strike at General Motors

More than 4,000 employees at General Motors (GM) in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, ended a 12-day strike after a meeting earlier today (Aug. 24). The metal workers agreed to a deal proposed by the Regional Labor Court (TRT) that cancels 798 job cuts. According to the Metal Workers' Union, this was one of the longest work stoppages the plant has faced in 20 years.

Under the deal, employees who had received telegrams notifying they had been fired on August 8 will take paid leave retroactive to August 10. In September, they will be laid off temporarily for a five-month period, and in case of termination at the end of this period, they will be paid an additional four times their wages as part of their severance packages.

The deal goes on to cover early retirement plans for a group of employees and a Voluntary Redundancy Program. The company may compensate workers opting out of the layoff program.

GM offered to pay half of the working days off and compensate workers for the remaining half. During the layoff period, workers will be entitled to the regulatory 13th salary (Christmas Bonus), profit sharing bonuses, and a wage increase on the trigger date of the collective bargaining agreement.

Agência Brasil tried to contact the spokesperson for GM, but had no replies as of the publication of this story.

Translated by Mayra Borges