Dockworkers begin strike at the Port of Santos with restrictions defined by the Court

The Dockworkers Union of Santos, São Vicente, Guarujá and Cubatão, declared a strike for the category, which began at 7am this Wednesday (25th), after a hearing at the Regional Labor Court of the 2nd Region (TRT-2). The movement, however, takes place under restrictions imposed by the Court, which authorized only a partial 12-hour strike, scheduled to end at 7pm.

When contacted by Jornal Portuário, the president of the Dockworkers Union of Santos, São Vicente, Guarujá and Cubatão, Bruno Santos, stated that the mobilization of the category is directly linked to the concern with the advancement of PL 733. According to him, the project represents a threat to the exclusivity of port labor and the rights historically won by workers. “This is a fight for the preservation of our job market and the appreciation of the category”, he highlighted.

The court decision, handed down within the scope of the collective strike dispute filed by the Port Operators Union of the State of São Paulo (Sopesp) against the Dockworkers Union, recognized the legality of the movement, but conditioned its implementation on the maintenance of at least 50% of the workforce in activity.

As a result, workers were instructed to appear on ships as normal, carrying out only half of the operations. The strategy seeks to comply with the court order and, at the same time, guarantee visibility for the category’s protest.

Among the main reasons for the strike is concern about bills being processed in the National Congress, such as PL 733, which could change port work rules, especially with regard to the exclusivity of labor. According to the decision, this type of mobilization, even if it has a political nature, is considered legitimate when related to the direct interests of the professional category.

The Court also set a daily fine of R$200,000 in case of non-compliance with the determinations, a measure that applies to both trade unions and port operators that eventually prevent compliance with the decision.

During the hearing, considered tense by representatives of the category, it was also decided that there would be strict supervision of the movement. A court official was appointed to verify compliance with the injunction at strategic points, such as OGMO/Santos and port terminals, evaluating the percentage of compliance and possible irregularities.

In addition to working on ships, the union called on non-stop workers to reinforce the mobilization in front of important terminals, such as BTP and Santos Brasil, with the aim of increasing pressure on authorities and operators in the sector.

The category also seeks to draw the attention of the Federal Government and parliamentarians, demanding a clear position on legislative proposals that could directly impact the port work model in the country.

This Wednesday’s strike is seen as a strategic move to open space for dialogue and strengthen the defense of the rights acquired by dockworkers, at a time of uncertainty about the future of the activity in Brazil.