The Federation of Petroleum Workers (FUP), representing approximately 100,000 employees across 14 affiliated unions and overseeing operations covering 61% of Petrobras’ units, criticized Petrobras for lacking conclusive responses on the PEDs after nearly three years of dialogue with the government and related entities. The union also condemned the minimal wage adjustment in the company’s proposal—only 0.5% above inflation—considering it disproportionate to Petrobras’ significant profits, which included R$37.3 billion in dividends in the first nine months of the year.
Ahead of the strike, retirees and pensioners organized a vigil at Petrobras’ Rio de Janeiro headquarters to maintain pressure on the company, coinciding with government-level meetings involving Petrobras, the Secretariat for Coordination and Governance of State Companies (SEST), and regulatory bodies. The unions notified Petrobras of the strike on December 12, adhering to legal requirements.
Petrobras confirmed an ongoing permanent channel of dialogue with the unions and expressed willingness to continue negotiations. The company stated it had presented improvements in the latest proposal and emphasized respect for employees’ right to protest, indicating that contingency measures are prepared to ensure operational continuity if necessary.
The strike quickly expanded, reaching eight refineries, 24 offshore platforms, multiple Transpetro units, and biodiesel plants across several states. Despite Petrobras’ contingency plans, prolonged work stoppages pose risks to production volumes and supply chains, with potential effects on fuel availability and market prices. The sector monitors developments closely, with resolution dependent on further negotiations or possible government intervention.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
