Public Safety Strike Hits Rio de Janeiro

[ihpguy]

I just recieved this alert from the US Consulate as a registered US citizen. I have been getting anumber of updates concerning the troubles in Salvador. It is looking like troubles have spread.

According to media reports, unions representing various groups of Rio de

Janeiro state public safety employees, including the military police,

the civil police and the fire fighters, are conducting a work stoppage

beginning Friday, February 10. The scope and duration of the strike are

not fully clear at this time, but Rio state government authorities are

stating there are plans in effect to assure public order and provide

essential police and emergency services.

What has been going on in Salvador seems to be spreading to Rio and the oil waelth looks like a great place to light another flame. Right now, Rio seems to be at nearly full employment with a very overheated economy. COMLURB is hiring anyone off the street for 850-1000Reais/month. Some of them where I live are really quite derelict. And the experienced cops and firefighters are demanding raises. With many only at 1800-2000/month.

It is all a bit crazy. For the past two years, the bank tellers have been striking, I figure this August they are next. Also, the public hospitals are having trouble with staffing levels for MD´s. We´ll see who is next. There is just the appearance of SO MUCH money being spent everywhere on everything in Rio and everyone wants there peice of it.

Right now I am in Foz do Iguacu and it is right back to the old prices. Still, lots of stuff going on with lots of new hotels and rehabs, new streets, etc. Dilma and the socialists have opened the spigot and Brasil seems to be floating on an ocean of oil money. Not just Guanabara Bay.

I hope my little corner of heaven stays safe. I have my doubts as a daily maid now demands and gets 80-100Reais/day. And this from my normal Brasilian friends, not just another gringo.

[Lucky]

The maid gets 80-100 reais for the whole day. Her son gets 100 for a half hour!

[Guest lurkerspeaks]

The maid gets 80-100 reais for the whole day. Her son gets 100 for a half hour!

Lets not exaggerate, Lucky. The son makes 70-80 reais for 45 minutes.

[ihpguy]

In the news this morning, it is reported that police and firefighters in over half the states here have voted to join the strikes. In Rio, over 50,000 are on strike. The 39 percent wage increase negotiated two months ago and agreed to a staggered 3 year process is now not enough. They want more. With Carnval starting, not good.

Minimum wage here is more or less 700Reais/month including employer's contribution. Waiters, sales people, cashiers aren´t making much more. So a maid getting 80-100 is a lot. Big differences. And with the police and firefighters having Cabral and Paes by the balls right before the party starts, not promissing.

[axiom2001]

Lets not exaggerate, Lucky. The son makes 70-80 reais for 45 minutes.

...depends on who hired him!

[ihpguy]

The strike is over. At least for now, the firefighters, civil guard and policia militar are happy with the substantial raises they received about two months ago with the increased salaries phase in over two years.

There were a few hundred indictments issued, dozens of arrests and maybe that did the trick.

27 of the strikers are imprisoned in Bangu.

The combined strikers had been looking for a base minimum salary of 3500Reais. Not cheap.

quote name='axiom2001' timestamp='1329094026' post='52063']

...depends on who hired him!