Postal workers go on strike today.
A nationwide movement, for an indefinite period, is demanding a R$400 salary increase.
247, with Agência Estado and Brasil - Postal workers will begin a nationwide strike, indefinitely, starting today, according to the National Federation of Workers in Postal, Telegraph and Similar Companies (Fentect). In a statement, Fentect informed that the strike will occur because they consider the Postal Service's counter-proposal to their demands unsatisfactory.
The Federation is demanding a real salary increase of R$ 400, an increase in meal/food vouchers, a minimum wage of R$ 1.635, and inflation adjustment of 7,16%, among other demands. According to Fentect, the Post Office offered inflation adjustment of 6.87%, a salary bonus of R$ 800, and a food voucher of R$ 25. However, the state-owned company offered an adjustment of only R$ 50 starting in January 2012.
In Rio, around 8 of the 14 workers joined the strike at the state-owned company. According to the general secretary of the Union of Postal and Telegraph Workers (Sintect), Ronaldo Martins, most post offices in Rio de Janeiro are operating partially, and the employees who are working are limited to informing the public seeking service at the post offices about the strike.
The union representative is asking for the public's understanding because, with the strike, the quality of services will suffer. "Mail will arrive late because we don't have enough staff to deliver it in the streets."
In a statement released this morning, the Brazilian Postal Service (Correios) informed that it "offered all the necessary conditions for the closing of the 2011/2012 Collective Bargaining Agreement." The statement also said that "the company is working to normalize the situation as quickly as possible and is adopting a series of measures to guarantee service to the Brazilian population."