Brazilian bank workers to begin indefinite strike from Sept. 6

Bank workers in Brazil announced on Monday that they would begin an indefinite strike from Tuesday as they demand a salary raise of 14.78 percent, unions announced.

This strike will affect all public and private banks from Tuesday after the union of bank workers failed to reach an ownership agreement with bank owners, who offered a raise of 6.5 percent, inferior to the 10.67 percent inflation seen in 2015.

The workers are demanding more participation in the profits of banks, a minimum salary of 3,940 reais (1,194 U.S. dollars), over four times the national minimum salary, improvements to their food bonus, and measures to reduce firings.

The National Federation of Banks (Fenaban) said on Monday that it could not agree to the demands of employees, adding that it could not afford a raise superior to the inflation rate.

In recent years, bank workers, which number around 512,000 nationwide, have carried out several strikes, each time due to failed negotiations or refused demands.

In 2015, a similar strike lasted 21 days and only ended when banks raised their salary raise offer from 6.5 percent to 10 percent. Enditem