Port of Santos employees protest for salary increases, annual days off

Employees of the Santos Port Authority (SPA) went on strike on Monday, June 27, as a protest for salary readjustments and five annual days off. A demonstration was held in front of the SPA headquarters with the support of the Port Workers Union of the State of São Paulo (Sindaport) to mark the beginning of the mobilization.

With the participation of 250 employees, the act began at 8 am, on Avenida Rodrigues Alves, as determined in a general meeting held last Sunday (26). The workers decided to reject the proposal offered by SPA. Instead, they demand a salary increase of 11.73% and five annual days off, in addition to extraordinary remuneration of 100%.

According to the vice-president of Sindaport, João de Andrade, a proposal was delivered by SPA. The document included a salary adjustment as requested but reduced the annual days off from five to two days. In addition, the authority still wants to reduce the extraordinary remuneration to 75% until December and from January to 50%. “The company is financially healthy thanks to the workers, and it should recognize the category,” he argues.

The Port Authority even went to court to prevent the protest under the pretext that the company would be unable to provide services delegated by the Union, such as the administration and operation of the Port of Santos. Therefore, they claim this would lead to financial losses to the municipality and state.

A precautionary measure, filed by SPA last Wednesday (22), determined that the Union should maintain the operation of port activity in the Port of Santos, with 75% of the Port Guard (GPORT) and 50% of the other categories.

The judge, however, concluded that 40% of the Port Guard and 30% in the other categories could continue their work during the strike under a penalty of a daily fine of R$20,000. According to the vice-president of Sindaport, the measures are being carried out ‘to the letter.’

SPA

The Santos Port Authority (SPA) stated in a note that it recognizes the constitutional right of its workers to protest through organizations like Sindaport and the Union of Port Workers of Santos and Region (Sintraport). However, the corporation reiterates that everything is being done to restore normalcy to Santos port operations.

Only SPA management and inspection employees are on strike, accounting for part of the state-owned company’s 882 employees, with no relation to the workers of the 55 port terminals nor with independent workers (TPAs), who make up a contingent of tens of thousands. SPA stressed that the port operates within normal limits so far.

According to the SPA, the proposal to the unions includes a total wage adjustment of 100% based on the consumer price index, or 11.73%, which would be the greatest adjustment authorized by law, given the legal limitation imposed in an election year. The dispute revolves around the additional percentage of overtime, which is now set at 100% in the SPA but 50% under Brazilian labor legislation.

Source: G1

To read the full original article, please go to: https://g1.globo.com/sp/santos-regiao/noticia/2022/06/27/funcionarios-da-spa-entram-em-greve-e-fazem-manifestacao-por-aumento-salarial-e-folgas-anuais-em-santos-sp.ghtml

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