Natal teachers suspend strike following increased judicial fines

Teachers in the municipal school system of Natal have decided to suspend their strike, which began on August 6, following a judicial order. The decision was reached during a union assembly on Monday, August 24, after the court increased the daily fine for continuing the movement to R$ 50,000, to be paid by the State Public Education Workers Union (Sinte-RN). Additionally, the court ordered that days not worked by participating employees be deducted from their pay.

The municipality had sought judicial intervention, arguing that the union failed to present a contingency plan to ensure essential services remained operational across the city's 147 school units, which serve over 51,000 students. While the strike is suspended, Sinte-RN stated it will appeal to the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and intends to maintain a state of strike. The union also announced a protest scheduled for Wednesday, August 26, in front of the Palácio Felipe Camarão, the seat of the Natal City Hall.