Brazil: Construction Union’s 7-day strike ends in victory

After a seven-day strike, the Trade Union of Construction, Paving and Earth Movement Industries Workers of the State of Ceará (SINTEPAV-CE) inked a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with companies operating the Solar Alex Project in Ceará, Brazil.

The union won an increase in workers’ wages by 10 percent and increased monthly bonuses from R$ 450 to R$ 600 (about USD 110). Overtime pay was also increased by 60 percent during the week and 100 percent on Saturdays.

The union also managed to include a new clause allowing workers to reject any job that can threaten their health and safety, on top of specific guidelines for the companies to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers, conduct occupational health and safety trainings and create an Internal Committee for the Prevention of Accidents (CIPA).

"Amidst the COVID-19 challenges in our country, this hard-fought victory is a welcome respite. This gives us hope that there are better days ahead for workers,” SINTEPAV-CE President Raimundo Nonato Gómes said. The agreement, which will expire on 31 March 2022, will benefit 1,100 construction workers.