Port of Santos Agreement Paves the Way for Hundreds of Worker Registrations

The Stevedores’ Unions of Santos, São Vicente, Guarujá, and Cubatão (Sindestiva), together with the São Paulo State Port Operators Union (Sopesp), signed a new 2024/2026 collective bargaining agreement (CCT) on Tuesday (24). This agreement will enable around 500 independent port workers, currently registered with the Santos Port Labor Management Office (Ogmo Santos), to become fully certified while also opening up 600 additional registration slots. The previous agreement was signed ten years ago.

Under Port Law 12.815/2013, port operators are required to source casual labor from registered and listed port workers through Ogmo Santos. Registered workers get priority in job selection, while listed workers are assigned the remaining tasks. These opportunities are made available daily through a digital system on Ogmo’s website and app.

Bruno José dos Santos, president of Sindestiva, estimates that about 500 workers are currently listed and awaiting full certification.

“We don’t know the exact number yet, as Ogmo is still compiling the data. It’s the dream of every listed worker in the stevedoring world to gain full registration. Some have been waiting more than 30 years for this. Listed workers only get the jobs that registered ones turn down. They’re left with the least desirable work,” Santos explained.

Sopesp and Ogmo are now working to set a timeline, possibly within 30 days, for these workers to apply for certification. Union leaders have requested a shorter, 10-day window. Evandro Schmidt Pause, Ogmo Santos Executive Director, who was present at the signing, confirmed that the request is being considered.

Santos also highlighted that the new agreement includes provisions for a disciplinary code, healthcare plans, a voluntary redundancy program, and attendance tracking. “We’ll reconvene with Sopesp in six months to review these issues,” he added.

More Jobs and Cooperation

Regarding the new registrations, Sopesp President Regis Prunzel announced that 300 workers would “immediately join the system,” with the remaining 300 placed on a waiting list. “These workers will be added as demand for cargo and new investments rise, which we expect to happen in the coming years.”

Anderson Pomini, President of the Santos Port Authority (APS), who also attended the meeting, welcomed the consensus between operators and casual workers, emphasizing its importance for the port’s operations. “This agreement creates 600 new direct jobs, with 300 starting immediately and 300 more to follow. It’s a win for the workers and Port of Santos.”

Source: A Tribuna

Click here to access the original reporting: https://www.atribuna.com.br/noticias/portomar/acordo-e-assinado-no-porto-de-santos-e-permitira-registro-de-centenas-de-trabalhadores-1.435296

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