University and IF professors begin strike for an “indefinite” period

After the lack of conciliation regarding the salary adjustment with President Lula’s government, professors at federal universities, federal institutes and federal technological education centers began a national strike this Monday (15). Thousands of students across Brazil will be without classes for an “indefinite” period of time, until there is some “consensus” in the negotiations between the unions and the government, which has denied “any possibility of readjustment” and guaranteed that the “budget is closed”.

The National Strike Command was installed this Monday, in Brasília, by the National Union of Teachers of Higher Education Institutions (Andes). According to Andes, the proposal presented by the federal government was a zero salary adjustment, with increases only in food aid, which would go from R$658 to R$1000; in the value of pre-school assistance, from R$321.00 to R$484.90, in addition to a 51% increase in the current value of supplementary healthcare.

“The proposal for a 0% adjustment in 2024 is unacceptable! Public service is a fundamental part of combating social injustice and guaranteeing rights. We will not accept being sidelined! May the government honor its commitment to value public service and those who make the service work with their work”, informed the union.

In the unified national agenda, teachers ask for an adjustment of 22.71%, in three installments of 7.06%, to be paid in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Also on the agenda is the revocation of Ministry of Education ordinance 983/20, which establishes an increase in the minimum class hours and frequency control through the electronic point for the Federal Network of Professional, Scientific and Technological Education. The repeal of the New Secondary Education and the Common National Base for Teacher Training (BNC-Formação) are also under discussion.

The workers rejected the proposal presented by the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services at the last Permanent Sectoral Negotiation Table, which took place on Thursday (11).

As part of the national strike, Andes informed that starting this Tuesday (16th), the Day of Struggle “0% adjustment is not possible!”, called by the Forum of National Entities of Federal Public Servants (Fonasefe). In the afternoon, teachers participate in a public hearing on the federal public education strike, in the Nereu Ramos auditorium, Annex II – Chamber of Deputies.

On Wednesday (17), the March of Federal Public Servants will take place in the morning along the Esplanade of Ministries towards the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Service (MGI). In the afternoon, a “class” is planned in front of the Ministry of Education (MEC) organized by the education categories.

Federal government position

In a note, the Ministry of Management informed that, in addition to formalizing the proposal presented last Thursday, a commitment was also made to open, by the month of July, all negotiation tables specific to careers requested to deal with demands and produce agreements that are positive for employees.

According to the organization, there are already ten tables dealing with readjustments for education with consensual agreements and eight are in progress. Furthermore, a working group was created to deal with the restructuring of the Career Plan for Technical-Administrative Positions in Education (PCCTAE). “The GT’s final report, delivered on 3/27 to the Minister of Management, Esther Dweck, will serve as input for the government’s career restructuring proposal, which will be presented to employees at the Specific Negotiation Table.”

The ministry also assured that it remains open to dialogue with employees in the education area and all other areas, “but does not comment on negotiation processes within the Specific and Temporary Tables.” *With information from Agência Brasil