Weeklong customs strike to hit Brazilian ports

The Sindifisco, the trade union for the audit inspectors at the Receita Federal (Federal Revenue, or customs department) has decided to continue with a weeklong strike at all major Brazilian ports, starting Monday.

The national branch of Sindifisco’s decision to vote Friday night to continue with a plan to strike is set to stall even more containers at marine terminals. Labor actions have already caused delays at Santos marine terminals by putting thousands of containers in limbo because they can’t be cleared.

The audit inspectors completed a 48-hour strike Friday morning, worked one day and then, got the all-clear to go ahead with a whole week of strike action next week. The union is attempting to persuade the government of Michel Temer to overturn a plan to cut pensions and phase out early retirements.

The Santos branch has not yet decided whether to implement an all-out and indefinite strike or to just carry out a five-day “Work to Rule,” or “Operacao Padrao.” Sometimes these have a similar effect as an all-out strike but striking auditors don’t lose any money from their monthly pay checks.

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