Brazil airline workers reject deal, strike enters fifth day
The day before Christmas Eve was marked by delays in landings and takeoffs at Brazilian airports. For the fifth day in a row, this Friday (Dec. 23), pilots and flight attendants maintained the walk-out between 6 and 8 am at airports in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Minas Gerais, Ceará, and capital Brasília.
Yesterday (22), the National Union of Aeronauts (SNA) refused a new proposal for wage negotiations, which would put an end to the strike.
In an online meeting—with 59.25% of votes against, 40.02% in favor, and 0.73% abstentions—aviation workers rejected the proposal submitted by the airlines, which included full correction for inflation in both fixed and variable salaries plus one percent as real increase. The rise would apply to national daily rates, salary floor, insurance, fines for breach of the collective agreement and food vouchers.
The employees want a five-percent real wage increase and better working conditions, especially as regards to time off and rules that prevent airlines from changing rest periods—the wait period given to crew members between flights (three hours during the day and two hours at night).
In a statement, the SNA pointed out that the workers have been holding talks since late September, adding that all proposals sent by the employers’ union were not consistent with the claims brought forward and were therefore rejected.
“The SNA remains open to negotiations and waits for the companies to send a new, minimally acceptable proposal. If there is one, it will be submitted to a vote. If approved, stoppages will end; if not, the strike will continue indefinitely,” the trade union stated.
