BRAZIL
Written by PSTU – Brasil
Saturday, 05 July 2014 00:41
Workers went on strike for 10 days, facing the harsh police repression and the intransigence of the employers.

The construction workers of Fortaleza (CE) achieved 9% of wage increase and decided to end the strike that lasted ten days. The wage rate index represents 3.6% over the inflation rate. Another important achievement was a 38% increase on the staple food subsidy, which rose from US$ 29 to US$ 40.

The agreement was approved at a meeting in Portugal Square on Wednesday morning July 2, with an audience of around 2000 workers, whilst another meeting was held at the construction site of the Beach Park Complex, attended by 500 workers, who also approved the proposal.

The wage campaign of the construction workers, which began in March, was marked by intense mobilizations, strikes and the harsh response of the employers who, at some point, broke off the negotiating table. The workers didn’t stepped back and remained united and decided to set off the strike on 23 June, while the FIFA World Cup was being held in the country, and had Fortaleza as one of the host cities of the tournament.

The strike gained visibility and was marked by a strong State repression, which triggered the Shock troops to try to prevent the struggle to continue and “mess up” the makeup done in the city to host the matches.

“This stoppage was accomplished in the context of the protests driven by the ‘There will fight during the World Cup’ campaign,” said the leading member of the CSP-Conlutas Atnágoras Lopes, who is in Ceará and celebrates this important victory. “The leading role of the union in this strike is a reference for fights in general and, specially, for the CSP-Conlutas” concluded the leader.