Subway Workers Demand the Reinstatement of the Fired Workers

Written by PSTU - BrasilBrazil Subway Workers Meeting

Wednesday, 18 June 2014

At a meeting in June 11, the subway workers of São Paulo approved a campaign for the reinstatement of the 42 workers dismissed from the Metro Company for participating in the strike.

Of these, 11 are directors of the union. They also decided not paralyze the activities on the 12th, but remain mobilized. Three workers were reinstated, but the subway workers will continue fighting for the reinstatement of all.

"There is no vandal here. The only vandal is the governor Geraldo Alckmin," said Altino Prazeres, president of the union and PSTU's militant. He also said that the sector was proud of the five-day strike they have done.

On June 12, the opening day of the World Cup, the sector participated in the protest against the injustices of the Cup. The concentration for the act was scheduled for 10 am in front of the of Subway Workers Union.

Reinstatement now!

The subway workers held one of the strongest strikes in their history. With a membership participation close to 100% in almost all workplaces, the sector faced the intransigence of Alckmin's government and its subservient Labor Justice, in addition to a massive campaign by the media in order to turn the public opinion against the workers.

The PSDB's government, however, besides refusing to negotiate, deployed the Shock Troops against the employees on strike and yet determined the dismissal of 42 workers. Even when the Company's board of directors was waving in rediscussing layoffs, Alckmin personally decided to maintain the arbitrary measure, proving that it was a political attack to weaken the mobilization and make the subway workers an example to other working sectors.

The subway workers strike, however, managed to bring together a broad support, from other branches of workers both around the country and internationally. A significant part of the population expressed support for the workers on strike, condemning the repression and cruelty of the "tucano" government.

It's time now to strengthen the campaign for the reinstatement of the subway workers. This struggle is not only for reinstating the dismissed workers to their jobs, but it is a struggle for freedom of organization and strike by the working class.