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On the ninth day of national strike, most Brazilian bank workers approved the new proposal of the employers’ organization (Fenaban), on this Wednesday 26, and put an end to the strike, according to updates sent by local unions to Contraf/CUT (the National Confederation of Financial Sector Workers).



In Banco do Brasil, the largest public bank, most workers also approved the bank specific proposals and suspended the strike. Nevertheless, in another big public bank, Caixa Economica Federal, the specific proposals were refused and many workers decided to continue on strike in some important cities and regions of the country.



In the new Fenaban’s proposal, presented on the eighth day of strike to the National Leadership of Bank Workers Unions, led by Contraf, wages will increase in 7.5% (2% of real increase), bank workers’ national wage floor and social benefits such as meal and food allowance will increase in 8.5% (almost 3% of real increase). Profit share will also increase in 10% .



“With mobilisation and strikes, bank workers gained real increases during nine years on a row, making 13.22 of real increase during this time, and 35.7% of real increase on the bank workers’ national wage floor”, highlights Carlos Cordeiro, president of Contraf and coordinator of the NationalLeadership.



As a result of negotiations, one important victory for workers on medical leave was that banks will keep their wages and benefits until their working conditions status is defined by health authorities.



"Banks also accepted Contraf’s proposal to conduct a new national survey to investigate issues related to gender, race and equal opportunities in banks” states the union leader, Carlos Cordeiro.



"Last year, it took 21 days of strike to get 1.5% real increase. This year, with a stoppage even stronger and united around the country in eight days the workers gained 2% of real increase and 2.95% on the wage floor, plus other gains and benefits, "adds Cordeiro.





Source: Contraf/CUT