BRAZIL: SOCCER/FOOTBALL: Sao Paulo metro workers to protest, but promise no strike action

Record ID: 341747

  • Title: BRAZIL: SOCCER/FOOTBALL: Sao Paulo metro workers to protest, but promise no strike action
  • Date: 12th June 2014
  • Summary: SAO PAULO, BRAZIL (JUNE 11, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF METRO WORKERS GATHERED FOR ASSEMBLY MEETING AT THEIR UNION TO VOTE ON STRIKE ACTION VARIOUS OF UNION LEADERS MAKING SPEECHES VARIOUS OF WORKERS VOTING AGAINST STRIKE ACTION (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) SAO PAULO METRO WORKERS UNION PRESIDENT, ATILIO FONTANA, SAYING: "We listened to all of the sectors (of the union) and th
  • Embargoed: 27th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Domestic Politics,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2293CTKXGHT537TOEMUT18X6C
  • Story Text: Sao Paulo's metro Workers' Union on Wednesday (June 11) vowed to take to the streets of Brazil's biggest city on the day of the World Cup's opening match but voted for no strike action.
    Wednesday's decision will come as a relief to thousands of soccer fans who would have faced transport chaos if the strike went ahead as they attempted to get to the Itaquera stadium for the opening match between Brazil and Croatia on Thursday (June 12).

    "We listened to all of the sectors (of the union) and they have all said that we are with you but they want to wait a while," said Sao Paulo metro Workers' Union leader Atilio Fontana. "The union is united and we will prepare a new step.

    "Tomorrow we will be out to protest at 10 a.m. starting at the union, we don't want to fight, we don't want trouble. It is going to be a peaceful protest with the principal theme being the readmission of fired workers and also, obviously related to the World Cup."
    The workers union did say they would take to the streets on Thursday to push their demands for higher pay.
    The last time they protested on Monday (June 9), Brazilian police used tear gas to disperse the striking workers and caused major traffic congestion.
    The subway workers, who are seeking a pay rise of about twice the annual inflation rate, will rally on Thursday at 10 a.m. (1300GMT) and said they would march to an undisclosed location.
    The striking workers are pushing for a 12 percent pay rise, though the state subway company offered 8.7 percent. Other groups, including teachers and bus drivers, have also staged strikes in recent weeks in Sao Paulo to demand higher pay.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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