Brazil Post taking steps to prepare for postal strike

Brazil Post said yesterday it is taking steps to prepare for a possible strike by postal workers as collective bargaining negotiations drag on into September. The Post has been in talks since early July with union umbrella group Fentect, and yesterday issued a fresh offer, based on a 5.2% increase in wages and benefits for around 120,000 workers.

Brazil Post (Correios) said its proposal was the result of negotiations and dialogue “and the company is confident of a collective agreement that is satisfactory to all, to ensure the normal service to society”.

The union talks cover staff including mail carriers, attendants and operators of commercial sorting and transhipment – all mid-level positions, with the Post’s offer including various benefits including transport vouchers, retirement provision, healthcare coverage and dental insurance.

Brazil Post said its workers have seen their salaries increase by 35% in real terms over the past nine years.

And, the company said it has been investing in improved working conditions, hiring 10,000 new workers in the last 21 months, with plans to add 9,904 more positions by 2013, while investing BRL 250m in 14,000 new vehicles and other equipment.

Various regional unions in Brazil are set to have meetings to discuss the latest management proposal throughout this month.

Brazil Post said in a statement yesterday: “Even believing in a conclusion of the collective bargaining agreement, Brazil Post is already taking the necessary steps to maintain the distribution of letters and parcels in the event of a shutdown.”

This time last year, Brazil Post saw its operations disrupted for around a month, as about a third of its workforce went on strike over a collective bargaining deal. The strike was ultimately ended by a court order.