Brazilian bank staff begin indefinite strike
Xinhua, September 7, 2016 Adjust font size:
Bank workers on Brazil began an indefinite strike on Tuesday after refusing the annual raise proposal offered by the National Federation of Banks (Fenaban).
According to Lourenco Prado, president of the National Confederation of Financial Workers, the strike will last indefinitely but is not seeking to harm the population.
The union movement stated Monday that the strike would happen because Fenaban offered a raise of 6.5 percent, far under the inflation rate of 9.57 percent predicted for August.
"We are demanding a raise of at least 15 percent," explained Louro.
Furthermore, the bank workers are demanding a raise in the minimum salary, a rise in food coupons, better working conditions and more opportunities for advancement.
"The strike is nationwide and indefinite, but cash machines and credit card terminals will continue to work. The population will not be affected. We do not want to hurt the population, we are only demanding our rights," added Louro.
The last such bank strike happened in October 2015, lasting 21 days, and only ended when banks raised their salary raise offer from 6.5 percent to 10 percent. Enditem