More Brazil Real Estate Construction Workers Strike
After the 2011 events in Pernambuco, this week saw the initiation of more strikes by over 10,000 real estate construction workers on 100 building sites in the northern eastern state of Piauí on the basis of a salary readjustment that should have occurred in November 2011 – in addition demanding better working conditions, health plans and transportation vouchers.
President of the Construction Industry Workers Union (Sindicato dos Trabalhadores da Construção Civil), Raimundo Ibiapina explained that, during nine months of negotiation, a 19 percent salary rise was agreed but now the Construction Industry Union (Sindicato da Indústria da Construção Civil, SINDUSCON) is reportedly stating only 6 percent can be granted (as well as rejecting the subsidiary demands). This represents the first strike in the state related to the real estate construction industry since 1986 (bar two short disputes in 2007 and 2010 which were adequately resolved).
Some notable projects which are currently paralysed include the Minha Casa, Minha Vida donated Alegria development (2,600 single storey units) and the Recidencial Jacinta – which is already significantly overdue (with a government investment of R$ 147 million, 1,600 of the 4,300 houses have been delivered). At the time of writing, negotiations remained at a standstill with the SINDUSCON officials in a public note stating: “we affirm our position in negotiating a solution to this deadlock.”
The strike serves to represents an ongoing issue within all segments of Brazil´s real estate construction sector based on the conflict between fair rates of pay and developers wanting to minimise the costs of construction inputs in order to achieve solid profitability levels.
On Friday 20th January 2011, a mutual agreement was formed for there to be a 10 percent pay rise for construction industry workers in Piauí: http://www.portalaz.com.br/noticia/geral/236446_operarios_aceitam_reajuste_de_10_e_greve_da_construcao_civil_acaba.html
[...] & safety. In the third week of January 2012 alone, developments have needed to be halted in Piauí (where 10,000 workers went on strike); Salvador (reigniting tensions after previous strikes in March 2011); Suzano in São Paulo (see [...]