São Paulo Metro Union to Vote on Strike Over Staffing and Benefits
The São Paulo Metro workers' union is scheduled to hold a critical assembly on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, to decide whether to proceed with a strike set to begin at midnight on Wednesday. The primary demand driving the potential industrial action is the implementation of a public competition to hire new staff, addressing a decade-long hiring freeze that has reportedly reduced the workforce by half to approximately 5,600 employees. The union argues that current service levels are maintained at the expense of workers' health. Additional grievances include changes to health plans, demands for equal pay for similar functions, and adjustments to profit-sharing mechanisms. In a notable development, the union proposed keeping the subway operational with free access if the state government agrees to waive fares during the strike period. The dispute also reflects broader tensions regarding Governor Tarcísio de Freitas's plans to privatize or grant management of certain metro lines. The union emphasizes that the strike can be avoided if the state government and Metro management engage in good-faith negotiations, urging an end to intransigence to resolve the labor conflict.
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São Paulo Metro Union to Vote on Strike Over Staffing and Benefits
The São Paulo Metro workers' union is scheduled to hold a critical assembly on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, to decide whether to proceed with a strike set to begin at midnight on Wednesday. The primary demand driving the potential industrial action is the implementation of a public competition to hire new staff, addressing a decade-long hiring freeze that has reportedly reduced the workforce by half to approximately 5,600 employees. The union argues that current service levels are maintained at the expense of workers' health. Additional grievances include changes to health plans, demands for equal pay for similar functions, and adjustments to profit-sharing mechanisms. In a notable development, the union proposed keeping the subway operational with free access if the state government agrees to waive fares during the strike period. The dispute also reflects broader tensions regarding Governor Tarcísio de Freitas's plans to privatize or grant management of certain metro lines. The union emphasizes that the strike can be avoided if the state government and Metro management engage in good-faith negotiations, urging an end to intransigence to resolve the labor conflict.
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