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On Friday, 14 October, Fenaban (the National Federation of Banks) presented a proposal that includes a pay raise of 1.5% (the first proposal was 0.56%), improvement of the wage floor in 4.3% and a better profit sharing (the fixed amount will increase in 27.2% and the additional amount will be 16.7% higher than earlier). The proposal also restricts money transportation by bank workers, which represents more safety for them. In addition, it determines the end of individuals' ranking, addressing the issue of pressure over workers sales of financial products and moral harassment.



In the view of the National Committee of Bank Workers, coordinated by Contraf/CUT (National Confederation of Finance Sector Workers), the proposal meets the main demands of workers. Therefore, the Committee recommends the proposal to be approved in the bank workers’ meetings to take place on this Monday, 17 October, in the more than 100 local unions throughout the country.



"The proposal represents an important step forward after a strike that closed more than 9,200 workplaces, forcing the banks to change their mind”, stated Carlos Cordeiro, president of Contraf/CUT and UNI Americas Finance. “This proposal is even more relevant due to the consolidation of a permanent strategy of wage increases for the eighth year on a row, sided by the improvement of the wage floor”, added Cordeiro.



In the beginning of the negotiation process, the Banks denied the possibility of a pay raise due to the risk of higher inflation, idea which was widely supported by the media. “Their point was put down! That was not only an economic victory but also a political one. They tried to weaken the movement along this long strike, but we managed to make it stronger”, pointed Cordeiro.



Moreover, the strategy of unification of all bank workers in the country proved to be, once more, correct and victorious. The national bargaining campaign that has been in course since 2004 put together workers of public and private banks. “With this process we’ve got a National Collective Agreement, covering all bank workers in Brazil, a unique reality in the country”, remembered Carlos Cordeiro



The days of strike won’t be deducted from workers’ pay checks. Like previous years, they should be paid in working hours until 15 December. After that, there will be no more hours to be paid and the remaining days/hours will be forgiven.



Source: Contraf-CUT