BRAZIL: Subway workers in World Cup city of Sao Paulo go on strike, complicating commutes and snarling traffic

Record ID: 341737

  • Title: BRAZIL: Subway workers in World Cup city of Sao Paulo go on strike, complicating commutes and snarling traffic
  • Date: 5th June 2014
  • Summary: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (JUNE 5, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TRAFFIC COMMUTERS EXITING CLOSED SUBWAY STATION SIGN DIRECTING COMMUTERS TO WORLD CUP STADIUM, ARENA CORINTHIANS VARIOUS OF CLOSED SUBWAY STOP (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) ACTOR, LEANDRO SILVA, SAYING: "Generally in the subway I spend less than 30 minutes. On the bus today it's already been an hour-and-a-half and I still
  • Embargoed: 20th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Domestic Politics,Transport
  • Reuters ID: LVA5YF9NS4LBHOJFPTIA6FA985P4
  • Story Text: Subway workers entered a strike on Thursday (June 5) in Sao Paulo, causing the majority of the system to shut down.
    Four metro lines were closed down from the strike.
    Local media estimated that up to 4.5 million commuters would be affected.
    In just a week on June 12, Sao Paulo will host the 2014 World Cup opener when host nation Brazil plays Croatia.
    The vast majority of attendees will rely on the metro or train to arrive at the stadium - the Arena Corinthians - which is located on the edge of Sao Paulo's massive metropolitan area.
    Sao Paulo will host a total of six World Cup games including next week's opener.
    The metro strike is set for an undetermined time.
    Traffic was complicated as more commuters took to the road.
    Working actor Leandro Silva said that without the subway his commute was taking substantially longer.
    "Generally in the metro I spend less than 30 minutes. On the bus today it's already been an hour-and-a-half and I still have more or less a half hour if there is no traffic. It's delaying everything, you know. It's complicated, I work, I have bills, nobody cares, there are strikes all the time," Silva said.
    A recent bus strike in Sao Paulo crippled the city, causing commuters to pile up at bus stops waiting for a small number of running buses to pass.
    Commutes that generally took an average of an hour took in some cases over three hours.
    Similar transport strikes have recently hit other World Cup cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Salvador.
    Marcos Aurelio said that it's important that the subway workers strike for their rights but it shouldn't hurt the citizenry that relies on the public transportation.
    "It's a priority. A priority and it has to be done. And how is the common worker going to get to work? But, if they are striking to complain about their situation, it shouldn't affect those also working hard to make a living, support their family," Aurelio said.
    The city recently offered a 8.7 percent salary increase but the striking subway employees refused on the basis that it was nearly half of what they are requesting.
    Protests and strikes have been rampant in the last few weeks and many activist groups are promising more actions during the World Cup which lasts from June 12 to July 13.
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