Workers at Petrobras facilities in the North Fluminense region suspended a 16-day strike on 30 December after their assembly accepted the company’s counterproposal on a new collective bargaining agreement. The decision followed a recommendation from the Sindicato dos Petroleiros do Norte Fluminense (Sindipetro-NF), the largest union representing oil workers in Brazil and affiliated to the Federação Única dos Petroleiros (FUP).
Although the strike was suspended, union members voted to maintain a state of permanent assembly and a state of strike to ensure Petrobras honours the commitments made in letters of intent. The assembly also approved an assistance deduction equivalent to 1% of net salary, to be collected in three instalments for union support.
Petrobras labour agreement wins concessions
Union leaders described the outcome as a constructive advance. Sérgio Borges, general coordinator of Sindipetro-NF and a FUP director, said the approved collective agreement and the suspension of the strike represent the best course of action at this stage. He underlined that the mobilisation, which began on 15 December, delivered tangible gains and secured important commitments from the company on long-standing demands in the North Fluminense region.
Among the principal victories, the union highlighted progress on the clause for suppressed rest days and firm guarantees that striking workers will not face punishment, transfers or changes of employment regime. Other wins included the neutralisation of days of strike, payment for the day of disembarkation as overtime, the creation of an Auxílio Mercado welfare payment and the top-up of the Auxílio Deslocamento travel allowance.
FUP coordinator Deyvid Bacelar said the strike also pierced what he described as an earlier management reluctance to negotiate, securing stronger engagement from Petrobras leadership. He noted, however, that not all demands were settled. Pending issues include the treatment of the PEDs, the controversial deficit-equilibration plans for the Petros pension funds, and preparations for critical 2026 talks on profit-sharing (PLR), a new pay and job plan, and a legal challenge over the PEDs at the Federal Audit Court.
Petrobras stated that, to date, 12 unions have approved the company’s proposal, effectively ending the strike across most of its bases. The company said the stoppages did not affect production and that supplies to the market remained uninterrupted. Contingency teams were deployed where necessary.
For unions that have not yet ratified the agreement, Petrobras filed a collective dispute at the Superior Labour Court (TST) to seek mediation. In a preliminary ruling, the court ordered that 80% of workers at each unit remain on duty and prohibited obstruction of access to operational areas, ports and airports.
The cautious suspension of industrial action leaves the unions with a mix of achievements and unfinished business. Leaders urged members to regroup and prepare for the next round of negotiations in 2026, when major items such as PLR and a revised career and salary structure will be discussed. The outcome underscores the bargaining power of organised labour while signalling that further talks will determine whether the remaining demands can be met.
Key Takeaways:
- Petroleiros suspend a 16-day strike after accepting Petrobras counterproposal, maintaining a state of assembly and strike as leverage.
- Key gains include no punitive measures, neutralisation of strike days, overtime pay for landing day, and new allowances.
- Union leaders hail mobilisation for securing concessions while noting remaining issues such as PEDs and future negotiations for PLR and pay structures.
- Petrobras reports no impact on production; TST ordered 80% staffing and barred obstruction of operational access.
