Struggle is our only option!
On the fifteenth day of strike, Brazilian bank workers flooded the streets of Brazil to protest at the lack of response to their demands.
One is the total rejection of the bargaining model proposed by the banks where salary adjustments are below inflation. Banks hide behind an alleged crisis, while top executives have received more than 30% adjustment in their pay and bonuses.
Workers also demand job security, reinstatement of 8000 dismissed workers, better health and safety conditions and equal opportunities, since women earn 21% less than men in the same role.
Roberto Von der Osten, President of CONTRAF-CUT Brazil, expressed the importance of this mobilization given the current political situation in the country.
"We are on a historic and necessary strike. Our fragile democracy is being hit by a coup government that attacks the rights conquered many years ago. There is a risk that changes will be implemented in public pensions, and labor laws are becoming more flexible. Brazil is facing very big risks.
During these difficult times we have the support of our brothers in the Southern Cone. Union representatives of La Bancaria, Argentina, and AEBU, Uruguay, participated in the bank workers march of "Sindicato dos Bancários de SP" and we have the support of UNI General Secretary, Philip Jennings, Adriana Rosenzvaig, Regional Secretary of UNI Americas, and Guillermo Maffeo, UNI Americas Finance Regional Director", he said.
The Regional Director stated that the region is at a time of great mobilization in the financial sector and that the conflicts and problems faced by Argentine and Brazilian workers is identical.
"This week all our member unions in different countries are out in the streets. It is wonderful to see how we carry out the global unionism policy, with mobilizations taking place wherever bank workers are in need, or their rights are not being respected" stated Maffeo.
UNI Americas supports the demands of men and women bank workers in Brazil, and we raise our solidarity flags expressing that struggle is the only option!