Air traffic controllers at the state-owned NAV Brasil, which coordinates 38% of national landings and takeoffs, announced today a strike that will affect the operations of 23 large airports in Brazil.
The sector authorities warned that the stoppage would damage the performance of important air terminals such as Guarulhos and veracobos in Sao Paulo state, and Santos Dumont in Rio de Janeiro, and employees, represented by the National Union of aviation protection workers, are demanding a salary adjustment of 8.5%, which is equivalent to inflation since the last agreement.
The air traffic controllers offered 4.83%, an offer that was rejected, and the union is also demanding to improve health care and hold competitions for recruiting employees in the administrative and operational fields.
During a virtual meeting held recently, 64.5% of 1.1 thousand workers voted in favor of inaction, and the category claims that the state company made a profit of 324 million riyals (about 63 million dollars) in 2022, but nevertheless offered an amendment much less than the request.
The controllers will begin an hour-long daily strike today, and in the second week, starting from the Sixteenth, the strike will be extended to two hours a day, and NAV Brasil specialists confirmed that they will inform airlines, other unions and the airspace control department in advance of the days and times of the stoppage.
They also specified that they would continue to provide urgent and emergency services, such as the transportation of patients, vital organs and medical emergencies.
In addition, flights of a humanitarian nature, search and rescue flights, authorities, Public Security, Civil Defense, customs operations, Environmental Protection, military and emergency situations will not be affected.
