Brazil’s oil workers strike 113 Petrobras locations
Brazil’s largest oil workers union, FUP, said Thursday it’s expanded the strike against Petrobras to 113 locations, including offshore and onshore oil installations, refineries, power plants, fertilizer and biofuels plants.
“The more Petrobras’ management bets on the conflict, criminalizing the oil workers’ strike, lying to the judiciary and refusing to negotiate with the FUP, the more the union strengthens the movement,” FUP said, in a statement.
On Wednesday, the Brazilian Supreme Court maintained a previous ruling that 90% of the workers should continue working during the strikes, which started on Feb. 1. Petrobras has previously requested the tribunal to suspend the protests as this would mean losses to the company and the country’s energy security due to less supply.
The strikes have reached 53 platforms, 23 terminals, 11 refineries and 23 other operational units, as well as three administrative bases, Kallanish Energy reports. The workers are protesting layoffs in a fertilizer plant in Parana state.
Workers are also set to protest against the privatization of the Brazilian state-run oil company and its divestment plans.
Brazilian truckers announce strike and support to oil workers
The Brazilian Union of Autonomous Land Carriers of Goods (ANTB) announced a strike, starting on Monday, against the government's policy of fuel prices, and ratified its support of the strike of the Petrobras workers.
Jose Rodrigo Stringasci, President of the ANTB said that 'it is a matter that needs to be discussed by all of the society, since it affects all of the sectors.
He insisted that 'if we have the oil and (the State company) Petrobras, it is not possible but to accept these inadequate (fuel) pump values.'
