Public employees deny readjustment proposal and extend strike

Teachers’ and technicians’ unions at federal universities rejected the government’s proposals and will expand the strike in the coming weeks. From Monday (April 29, 2024), Unifesp (Federal University of São Paulo), Ufba (Federal University of Bahia) and UFMS (Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul) will join the strike.

In total, 29 federal higher education institutions are closed. There are 23 universities, 5 federal institutes and 1 technological center. The movement began on April 15th.

After an assembly held on Friday (April 26, 2024), Andes (National Union of Teachers of Higher Education Institutions), Sinasefe (National Union of Federal Servants of Basic, Professional and Technological Education) and Fasubra (Federation of Technical-Administrative Workers Unions in Public Higher Education Institutions in Brazil) declared that they will not accept what was proposed by the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

The government tried to negotiate with professionals a salary increase of 9% in January 2025 and another of 3.5% in May 2026.

“The proposals launched by the government were largely rejected because there is no prospect of us being in the 2024 Budget and because the recomposition proposals for the coming years are far below the expectations that the category demands, which is 22.71% in the recomposition of our salary losses”, said the president of Andes, Gustavo Seferian.

The union associations also requested an emergency meeting with the Ministries of Planning and Budget, Finance and Education. They want to present a proposal bill by May 3rd. Here is the full request (PDF – 498 kB).

O Power360 contacted the respective ministries, but did not receive a response until the publication of this report. The space remains open.

NEW SHUTDOWNS

At least 12 federal institutions are expected to go on strike starting this Saturday (27 April), according to Andes. There will be 11 universities and 1 federal institute. According to the entity, other strikes are yet to be announced.

Read the list:

The movement, which began on April 15, calls for career restructuring, restoration of the Education budget and salary adjustments for the category.

Here are other proposals:

• adjustment of food assistance from R$658 to R$1,000;
• readjustment of per capita health aid from R$144.38 to around R$215;
• readjustment of daycare allowance from R$321 to R$484.90;
• changes in career progression.