2 November, 2011São Paulo metalworkers in the CNTM plan to strike unless employers make a new offer on pay and other demands by November 4.
BRAZIL: At a meeting on October 30, members of the São Paulo and Mogi das Cruzes metalworkers' union, affiliated to the Confederación Nacional de Trabajadores Metalúrgicos, CNTM, in turn affiliated to the IMF, rejected employer proposals for a 7.5% to 8.5% pay rise and agreed to go on strike on November 7 if employers do not make an acceptable offer.
The union said the workers want more than just a pay rise, they want a real increase in the basic wage and guarantees on other important issues, such as keeping on the payroll employees injured at work or suffering from occupational diseases.
Inflation over the 12 months ending in October was approximately 7%. "We want significant real wage increases and we will not accept anything less than 10%. The workforce has contributed a lot towards increasing production in the factories. Employers have until November 4 to make a new offer. If they don't, we will start bringing the factories to a standstill on November 7", said union president, Miguel Torres. The strike may target individual companies, particular sectors of the industry or particular areas.
This is the annual round of negotiations for 2011 and the union is negotiating jointly with another 53 metalworkers' unions in the state affiliated to the São Paulo State Metalworkers' Federation and Força Sindical.