In Brazil, Mercedes-Benz workers protest against job cuts

Mercedes-Benz workers in São Bernardo do Campo, in Greater São Paulo, protested today (Aug. 18) in defense of their jobs. According to the organization, 5,000 workers took part in the protest.

Mercedes-Benz trade union leader Max Pinho pledged that the union and workers will remain mobilized during this week, daily protesting to open negotiations with the company.

Protesters blocked Anchieta highway, near Mercedes-Benz plant, for forty minutes this morning. They had walked throughout the streets of the city, talking to people, who may be indirectly affected by a possible mass dismissal.

The plant employs about 9,000 people and it has suspended indefinitely the trucks and buses production. These employees are on paid leave, but the company has announced 2,500 surplus employees.

According to the Brazilian metalworkers union ABC, Mercedes-Benz are sending telegrams to workers since last Sunday (14) informing them of their dismissed, but there is no estimate for the number of employees to be dismissed.

"People here are supporting our struggle, because if a fellow worker is dismissed, those who keep their jobs will end up carrying out their duties," said the Mercedes-Benz trade union leader.

According to him, union representatives met with the company's board of directors on Wednesday (17). "They are now claiming that the head office in Germany has not authorized negotiations with the union. So, we [trade union] and workers decided to continue our struggle and make this journey," said Pinho.

In a note, Mercedes-Benz reported that, from Monday (15), they will grant paid leave to all workers of the São Bernardo do Campo plant, except those involved in essential activities. The measure is being adopted due to the sharp reduction in vehicle sales in the past few years, which produced 2,500 surplus employees in the unit.

The company notes that, since 2014, it has adopted several labor market flexibility measures to deal with the surplus employees. In addition to joining the Employment Protection Program, giving employees stability for a year in the unit, the company reported that they offered lay-offs, paid time off, and leaves, and several voluntary redundancy plans (PDV)—programs that offer great incentives to voluntary resignation. The last PDV happened from June 1 to July 25, and about 630 workers joined the plan, read the statement.

Mercedes-Benz also claims that before an increasingly worsened scenario, they have no choice but to dismiss their staff. They also said that their negotiations with the workers' union will continue discussing the issue.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta