10 November, 2011The São Paulo city and Mogi das Cruzes metalworkers' union has reached agreement with four employer groups on a pay rise. The São Paulo State Metalworkers' Federation is trying to extend the agreement to all metalworkers in the state.
BRAZIL: Metalworkers in unions affiliated to Força Sindical in the state of São Paulo were due to go on strike on November 7 but the strike was called off as the union reached agreement with four employer groups on a 10% pay rise.
The agreement covers 80% of metalworkers and economic advisors to the unions say the agreement will mean a real pay rise of more than 3%.
The agreements reached were in Group 3 (auto parts), Group 2 (SINDIMAQ and SINAEES - machinery and electrical and electronics), Foundry and Group 19-3 (ferrous metals, non-ferrous metal equipment, metal frames, etc.). The agreements apply to employees of metalworking companies in Sao Paulo city, Mogi das Cruzes, Poa, Biritiba Mirim and Guararema.
"We are making good progress with the negotiations and we are expecting to sign an agreement with the other employer groups, including the 10, led by the São Paulo State Employers Federation (FIESP). If this doesn't happen, we'll start to bring factories in those groups to a standstill, in accordance with the assembly's decision", said negotiating committee member Miguel Torres, president of the São Paulo and Mogi das Cruzes Metalworkers Union.
"The negotiations were difficult, because of the world crisis, but the action taken guaranteed a positive result and now we are going to put the pressure on to extend the same agreement to all metalworkers" said Claudio Magrão, president of the São Paulo State Metalworkers Federation.
The annual round of negotiations, which was due to be completed by November 1, involved 800,000 workers in the state, organised in unions affiliated to Força Sindical, the metalworkers confederation, CNTM (an IMF affiliate) and the São Paulo State Metalworkers Federation. There are around 260,000 metalworkers in the geographical base represented by the São Paulo and Mogi union.
The IMF is closely following the development of the situation in the remaining groups that have yet to sign agreements and will keep members informed of the dispute and any solidarity action that may be required.