20 September 2012, Sweetcrude, RIO DE JANEIRO – EMPLOYEES of Brazil’s state-led oil producer Petrobras have rejected a proposed salary adjustment, threatening 24-hour strike next week to increase pressure on the company as it works to control costs.
The Federal Oil Workers Union, known as FUP, dismissed an offer of a 6.5% nominal wage hike, representing an increase of roughly 1% over inflation, and workers will begin voting this Thursday on whether to strike next Wednesday, Reuters reported.
Petrobras and the union have held three negotiations so far without a final accord.
Brazilian labor laws generally require striking unions to leave a minimum staff running basic operations, which has limited the impact on production of past strikes at Petrobras.
