Strike: Brazil workers to hold strike ahead of talks
Brazil strike set to launch ahead of talks
Brazilian oil workers will begin a five-day strike at the country's main fields in the Campos basin on Monday, regardless of whether state-owmed Petrobras presents a proposal before then, said a union official.
"The decision has been taken to only negotiate with the strike on," said Jose Genivaldo Silva, director of the United Oil Workers' Federation, an umbrella union.
An official at the local Campos basin union confirmed the information, saying the strike will start on Monday at all the 42 Campos offshore platforms.
"Petrobras can make another offer before then, but we'll hold the strike. Platforms will only operate to maintain safety," said a union official who gave only his first name, Genilson, said a Reuters report.
The Campos union demands that Petrobras count the day workers leave the platform for the shore as a working day.
Petrobras chief executive Jose Sergio Gabrielli said the company was preparing a contingency plan and that it remains open to negotiations.
"We are negotiating, we are open, and we're of the nature to avoid the strike so that it doesn't affect production. Production will continue. We will, if needed, implement a contingency plan to maintain minimum staffing to continue producing," said Gabrielli.
"Petrobras is telling us every day that it is open to negotiations, they receive us nicely and all but then they say they've already made their final offer," Silva said.
Separately, the umbrella union will hold a meeting Tuesday to discuss the possibility of a five-day nationwide strike at all Petrobras facilities, including refineries and terminals, to demand a bigger share of company profits for workers.
Campos accounts for more than 80% of Brazil's crude output of 1.8 million barrels per day.