Brazil: Metro workers striking in Belo Horizonte's Metropolitan Region Oct. 5-6

Event

Brazilian Urban Train Company in Minas Gerais (Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos em Minas Gerais, CBTU-MG) employees are striking in Belo Horizonte's Metropolitan Region, as of Oct. 5. All stations that serve Belo Horizonte and the neighboring city of Contagem are closed. The Minas Gerais Metro Workers Union (Sindicato dos Metroviarios de Minas Gerais, SindMetro) stated that workers will fully suspend operations through 23:59 Oct. 6. CBTU-MG employees are likely to only resume 60 percent of services from Oct. 7. Workers are striking to oppose plans to privatize CBTU-MG.

The strike action is likely to lead to an increased demand for alternative forms of public transportation in the state capital; delays and disruptions remain likely during peak hours. Associated protests by striking workers are possible; security officials are likely to deploy to any associated protests. Low-level confrontations between demonstrators and police, or with disgruntled commuters, are possible.

Context

Brazilian Urban Train Company in Minas Gerais (Companhia Brasileira de Trens Urbanos em Minas Gerais, CBTU-MG) employees began an indefinite strike in Belo Horizonte's Metropolitan Region Aug. 25. While the employees had resumed 60 percent of services at stations that serve Belo Horizonte and the neighboring city of Contagem in September, they have been unable to reach a deal with CBTU-MG.

Advice

Reconfirm the status of public transportation in Belo Horizonte's Metropolitan Region for the duration of the strike. Avoid all protests as a precaution.