# Brazil union leadership transitions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-union-leadership-transitions > Updated: 2026-07-29T21:25:26.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 4. In July 2026 Brazil’s labor federations began new administrations. The Sitraemg union in Minas Gerais inaugurated its 2026‑2029 board in Belo Horizonte, led by coordinator Alessandra Matias Barbosa and director‑general Rodolfo Pacheco. The SESCON‑PB federation in Paraíba installed President‑elect Fábio Marsicano Fagundes and a new Fiscal Council. Later that month metalworkers’ unions in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro chose new leadership. Wellington Damasceno was formally installed as president of the Sindicato dos Metalúrgicos do ABC, succeeding the previous administration and beginning a 2026‑2029 term. He was elected with 97.47 % of the vote, becoming the 15th leader of the union that represents roughly 74 000 metalworkers in São Paulo’s ABC region. Damasceno reiterated his mandate’s focus on reindustrialisation, the integration of artificial‑intelligence technologies, ending the six‑day, 48‑hour work schedule, and defending collective bargaining. He cited recent gains such as an expanded income‑tax exemption and progress on a reduced‑work‑hour agenda, arguing that a 40‑hour week is economically viable and improves productivity and safety. On 30 May, the ABC Metalworkers Union hosted a forum on collective bargaining with the Supreme Labor Court, regional labor courts, the Ministry of Labor, the ILO, Volkswagen and other stakeholders. The discussion emphasized dialogue among unions, employers and state institutions as a cornerstone for balancing capital and workers amid broader economic challenges. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-29: Brazil's Metalworkers Union and Supreme Labor Court Hold Forum on Strengthening Collective Bargaining Brazil's Metalworkers Union and the Supreme Labor Court met in São Bernardo do Campo to discuss strengthening collective bargaining, with participation from TST ministers, the ILO, Volkswagen and union leaders. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazils-metalworkers-union-and-supreme-labor-court-hold-forum-on-strengthening-collective-bargaining ### 2026-07-24: Wellington Damasceno, new head of Brazil's ABC Metalworkers Union, vows to end 6‑day work scale Wellington Damasceno became president of Brazil's ABC Metalworkers Union, pledging to end the 6×1 shift, boost reindustrialisation and protect workers’ rights. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wellington-damasceno-new-head-of-brazils-abc-metalworkers-union-vows-to-end-6day-work-scale ### 2026-07-21: New leadership elected in Brazil's major metalworkers unions in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro Wellington Damasceno assumed the presidency of Brazil's ABC Metalworkers Union, while elections started for the Sul Fluminense Metalworkers Union with voting across Volta Redonda and nearby factories. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-leadership-elected-in-brazils-major-metalworkers-unions-in-so-paulo-and-rio-de-janeiro ### 2026-07-13: New leadership inaugurated at Brazil's Sitraemg and SESCON-PB Brazilian unions Sitraemg (Minas Gerais) and SESCON-PB (Paraíba) held ceremonies in July and June to inaugurate their new 2026‑2029 and 2026‑2030 leadership teams, respectively, with regional officials and synd 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-leadership-inaugurated-at-brazils-sitraemg-and-sescon-pb --- Cite as: Brazil union leadership transitions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/brazil-union-leadership-transitions