Dockworkers at the Port of Santos stage a partial strike to defend exclusive hiring rights along the São Paulo coast

Dockworkers mobilized by the Union of Dockworkers of Santos, São Vicente, Guarujá, and Cubatão (Sindestiva) held a work stoppage at the Port of Santos on Wednesday (25) in defense of exclusive hiring rights for casual port workers (TPAs). The category opposes Bill (PL) 733/2025, which proposes revisions to the legal framework governing the port sector and introduces changes to labor relations.

The stoppage lasted 12 hours, with 50% of the workforce maintained in operation, as determined by the Regional Labor Court of the 2nd Region (TRT-2), following a lawsuit filed by the Union of Port Operators of the State of São Paulo (Sopesp), which challenged the legality of the strike. The decision came after a collective labor dispute hearing held last Tuesday. No agreement was reached between the parties.

In its ruling, TRT-2 recognized the legality of the strike, noting that the right is guaranteed under Article 9 of the Federal Constitution and that workers have the authority to decide the timing and interests of their actions. The understanding follows precedents set by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) and the Superior Labor Court (TST), which allow strikes motivated by broader issues, such as political and legislative matters, provided they are related to the interests of the category. Despite this, the court imposed limits due to the activity’s essential nature.

The category initially intended to carry out a 24-hour stoppage, but the action took place only from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The union plans to repeat the stoppage on the coming Wednesdays until federal deputy Arthur Maia (União-BA) presents the final report on the bill, expected on April 10.

According to Sindestiva president Bruno José dos Santos, groups of workers gathered in front of Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP) and Warehouse 35 in Santos, as well as at Santos Brasil, in the Vicente de Carvalho district in Guarujá. One group marched to Santos City Hall, where they were received by the city’s Secretary of Port Affairs and Employment, Bruno Orlandi.

Limitations and assessment

The union leader said the court required partial maintenance of operations and that failure to comply could result in fines of up to R$200,000, applicable to both the workers’ union and port operators if they prevent scheduled workers from accessing the port.

Despite the limitations, the Sindestiva president considered the movement essential. “It is extremely important to defend our labor market, exclusivity, and acquired rights,” he said. He also called for a response from authorities: “We need to draw the attention of lawmakers, especially those on the PL 733 committee, and the federal government, which has not yet taken a position on the matter.”

Truckers suspend protest

The Union of Autonomous Bulk Cargo Transporters (Sindgran) suspended a truckers’ strike in Cubatão after a meeting with the Santos Port Authority (APS).

Truck drivers had planned a 24-hour stoppage to protest the requirement to pay regulatory yard fees in order to access port operations. According to Sindgran president José Cavalcanti de Andrade, the practice contradicts APS regulations, as there is no rule requiring such payment from transporters.

Meetings

In a statement, APS said its Director of Operations, Beto Mendes, attended the meeting with union representatives. It was agreed that APS and Sindgran will discuss possible changes to the Port Authority Regulation (NAP), which governs truck access to the Port of Santos.

The regulation organizes the scheduling of road cargo arrivals at the port complex, aiming to prevent long waiting times in regulatory yards, which negatively affect transporters.

Following the meeting, Sindgran’s legal representatives also visited APS headquarters. Another meeting was scheduled for the following day.

The Port Authority emphasized that the dialogue aims to improve both the NAP and the commercial relationship between the parties, noting that its role is to mediate without direct interference in the process.

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Source: A Tribuna

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