Strikers Want to Close Airports in São Paulo

04/27/2017 - 11h21

Organizers of the general strike called for Friday, April 28, in a protest against the Social Security reform and the labor laws reform intend to close the country's two main airports, Congonhas and Guarulhos, in São Paulo.

The Union of the Guarulhos Airport Staff asked for the help of the Movement of Homeless Workers (Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Teto - MTST) to stop the two airports.

Together, the two terminals have an average of 1,200 landings and takeoffs every day. Stopping the São Paulo airports would affect the entire air traffic in the country.

The MTST, along with other movements and unions that comprise the Popular Brazil Front (Frente Brasil Popular) and the Fearless People Front (Frente Povo sem Medo), is also organizing a demonstration at Largo da Batata, in the west zone of São Paulo at 5:00 p.m. on Friday.

The plan is to march in a protest towards the home of President Michel Temer.

The organizers also plan to block 25 roads and highways in the states of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Goiás, Ceará, Pernambuco, Mato Grosso do Sul, Roraima and the Federal District.

As the unions of subway and train workers and bus drivers have also agreed to take part in the strike, most of São Paulo's public transportation system is likely to stop on Friday.

In a preliminary injunction signed on Wednesday, the Regional Labor Court ordered subway workers to maintain a minimum of 80% of employees on duty during rush hours and 60% during the rest of the day under penalty of R$100,000 (US$ 31,000)

Other segments likely to participate in the strike in São Paulo include teachers of public and private schools, bank clerks, metalworkers and motorcycle couriers.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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