Solidarity with the Federal Education Workers' Strike
This June marks the third month of the strike of the federal education workers in Brazil, who are fighting to recover their salaries and the funding of federal educational institutions. Despite the strength of the strike, the Lula government continues to present a proposal that falls far short of what is needed to compensate for wage losses that amount to more than 50% for most categories of federal education. The government's proposal foresees 0% by 2024 and does not include pensioners. Lula also continues to strangle the budget of federal education institutions, which have seen their funding cut from 2023 to 2024.
In the second week of June, Lula, at an event with rectors, announced an investment and funding package for federal education and in his speech attacked the civil servants' strike. This is another anti-union move by Lula, in addition to his attempt to close the negotiating table and impose a salary agreement on the teachers by means of a farce, the signing of an agreement with PROIFES. This "fake" PT-controlled union, which represents only 5 of the 69 universities, has ignored the decisions of its rank-and-file assemblies, which rejected the proposal offered by the government.
Moreover, the package offered by the government barely compensates for the budget cuts promoted by Lula himself. The package represents less than 20% of the funds requested by the federal colleges and universities to guarantee the functioning of the institutions in 2024.
We, the International Labour Union Network of Solidarity and Struggles, express our solidarity with the strike of the federal education workers and call on the Brazilian government to guarantee the continuity of the negotiation process and the fulfilment of the just demands of the workers.
Please send motions to the emails:
gabinetepessoal@presidencia.gov.br - presidência da república - Sr. Luís Inácio Lula da Silva
gabinetedoministro@mec.gov.br - Minister of State for Education - Mr. Camilo Sobreira de Santana
agenda.mgi@gestao.gov.br - Ministra de Estado da Gestão e da Inovação em Serviços Públicos - Srª. Esther Dweck
With copy to: assessoria@cspconlutas.org.br
