Correios prepares operation to minimize effects of employee strike

Correios defined a series of measures to try to minimize the effects of the strike by state-owned employees in four states across the country, which is scheduled to begin this Thursday (23) for an indefinite period. The strike affects distribution in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Maranhão and Tocantins and occurs one day before Black Friday, when an increase in the traffic of goods in the country is expected.

According to the federation that brings together local unions in these states, the units represent 60% of the postal flow of parcels and 40% of the number of employees across the country.

In a note to People’s GazetteCorreios stated that, if the strike is actually implemented, they intend to hire outsourced labor, work overtime, move employees between units and provide support from administrative staff.

Preliminary information also indicates that the presidency of the state-owned company would be preparing a new proposal for a collective agreement, which is pointed out by the union federation as the cause of the employee strike. The Interstate Federation of Postal Workers Unions (Findect) was contacted for the report and has not yet commented.

Data from the National Commerce Confederation (CNC) shows that this year’s Black Friday is expected to break sales records and generate revenues of R$4.64 billion, an increase of 4.3% compared to last year. The Post Office announced, at the beginning of this week, that it will give a discount of up to 30% for sending orders during the period (see in full).

Correios also reported that this year, for the first time in seven years, they signed a Collective Labor Agreement that recovers more than 40 previously extinct clauses. The agreement includes a linear increase of R$250 for most employees, totaling an average increase of 6.36% for more than 71 thousand employees, with some achieving a 12% increase from January 2024.

In addition to the salary increase, the company launched a scholarship program for mid-level employees, with more than 1,140 enrolled. Other benefits of the agreement include an immediate increase in benefits of 3.53%, bonuses of R$1,000 in 2023 and R$1,500 in January 2024, daycare/nanny reimbursement, 20-day paternity leave, among others.

The agreement also reinstates important clauses, such as the return of Correios’ temporary responsibility for traffic fines on company vehicles, six-month maternity leave, special assistance of up to R$2,868.45, and 10 days’ health benefit.