Bus drivers plan strike to protest against Temer.
Bus drivers in São Luís have decided to “cross their arms” for three hours in the capital next Friday (27) to protest against salary delays, breach of agreements and against the Labor Reform of the Michel Temer (PMDB) government; the movement aims to defend the achievements of Brazilian workers and force the federal government to modify the rules of the Reform.
Silvia Tereza's Blog – Bus drivers in São Luís have decided to “cross their arms” for three hours in the capital next Friday (25), to protest against salary delays, non-compliance with agreements and against the Labor Reform of the Michel Temer government (PMDB). From nine in the morning to noon, the buses will stop running. The decision was taken by the president of the Bus Drivers Union, Isaías Castelo Branco, and by directors of the entity, in a meeting held on the morning of this Wednesday (25).
The main reasons that led the Bus Drivers' Union to encourage workers to strike are the constant delays in the payment of wages and other benefits to which the category is entitled, such as meal vouchers. The companies are aware that wages must be paid by the fifth working day of the month; this is even one of the clauses of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, but practically every month, the employers fail to comply with the stipulation.
Currently, around six thousand bus drivers work in public transportation in São Luís and suffer the consequences of these constant delays. These drivers, conductors, and inspectors go to the union every day and denounce the lack of commitment from the employers.
In addition to issues involving the local agenda, the three-hour strike on the 27th is also a response to the approval of the Labor Reform, which is expected to come into effect in the coming days. The Maranhão Road Transport Workers Union is advocating for the interests of its members, but also supports the movement organized in São Luís by various entities, including the National Confederation of Land Transport Workers – CNTTT, which will be marked in the morning by a large rally in Praça Deodoro, and in the afternoon by a Meeting of Entities, which will take place from 14 pm onwards at the entity's headquarters.
The movement aims to defend the gains of Brazilian workers and force the Temer government to modify the rules of the Labor Reform, which seems more intent on enslaving Brazilians.