São Paulo metro workers call off planned strike after union vote
On May 12, the São Paulo Metro Workers’ Union held an assembly to decide on a strike slated for midnight on May 13. The workers had been demanding wage increases, profit‑sharing, a career‑plan, better health‑benefit provisions and the opening of public recruitment exams, while the company had offered partial concessions.
The Regional Labor Court had already ordered a minimum service level for any walk‑out, imposing 100 % staffing during peak hours and at least 60 % otherwise, with a daily fine of R$ 200 000 for non‑compliance. After a close vote—1,500 against the strike, 1,294 in favour and 145 abstentions—the majority rejected the work stoppage. Consequently, the Metro lines 1‑Azul, 2‑Verde, 3‑Vermelha and 15‑Prata operated normally on May 13. Union leaders warned that the dispute over staffing cuts, privatization plans and salary parity could resurface if negotiations do not progress.