Workers at Brazilian state-owned oil and gas giant Petrobras have rejected a counterproposal for a collective bargaining agreement offered by the company and its subsidiaries Transpetro, PBio, Ansa, Termobahia, and TBG. As a result, the union approved a “state of strike” which allows workers to begin strike action at any moment without requiring additional consultation or proceedings. According to the union, the decision demonstrates the “widespread dissatisfaction with the company’s stance and reinforces the workers’ willingness not to accept setbacks to their rights and cost reductions promoted by the company, which are to the detriment of oil workers”. The organisation also stated that the workers were subjected to different attacks from the company, from “threats of privatisation and outsourcing of core business jobs to the forced removal of offshore workers.” Negotiations will resume on Tuesday, when the state-owned company is scheduled to meet with union representatives. During previous negotiations, the workers reaffirmed three main points of their national campaign. The first is a definitive solution for the deficit settlement plans of the Petros pension fund which penalises retirees and pensioners, the distribution of wealth generated by the category, with guaranteed dignified working conditions, health and safety, without fiscal adjustments on salaries and career paths; and opposition to privatisations and the company’s new business model, such as partnerships with private companies and outsourcing of core activities at the fertiliser factories in Bahia and Sergipe and for PBio. The workers are also requesting the restoration of workforce levels and calling up of those on reserve lists to enhance health and safety during operations. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsBrazil