Stevedores’ strike hits Port of Santos and exposes national split in the category

Stevedores at the Port of Santos and other Brazilian ports began a 12-hour national strike on Wednesday (20) to protest proposed changes to the legal framework governing the port sector. The category’s main concern is the possible loss of exclusivity for casual dockworkers in port operations.

The stoppage was approved at a meeting of the council of the National Federation of Stevedores (FNE). Another 24-hour strike is already planned for June 3 if the port workers’ demands do not move forward.

Among the groups that joined the action is the Union of Stevedores of Santos, São Vicente, Guarujá and Cubatão (Sindestiva), which represents one of the main labor categories linked to Latin America’s largest port complex.

“We do not accept demobilizing the strike. All stevedore groups in Brazil had joined, but the meeting called by the rapporteur led some to halt the movement,” said union president Bruno José dos Santos.

Mobilization divides the category

Despite national support, the movement ended up creating divisions among union leaders after a meeting was called for Thursday (21) in Brasília.

The meeting was organized by federal lawmaker Arthur Maia (União-BA), rapporteur for Bill 733/2025, which proposes updating the regulatory framework for the port sector. The bill had been expected to be delivered on April 10, but that did not happen.

“We do not accept demobilizing the strike. All stevedore groups in Brazil had joined, but the meeting called by the rapporteur led some to halt the movement,” Bruno José dos Santos said.

Negotiations in Brasília

Arthur Maia will meet with representatives of the three federations that represent independent dockworkers in Brazil’s port sector.

“If a strike is called and someone invites us to negotiate and talk, we have to value the negotiation process. On Friday, we will have another meeting with the presidents of Brazil’s stevedore unions to assess the outcome and decide on the next steps,” said FNE President José Adilson Pereira.

What is under discussion

Bill 733/2025 aims to modernize Brazil’s port legislation. Workers fear the text could reduce long-standing guarantees and weaken the system for hiring independent labor, currently managed by labor management bodies known as OGMOs.

The category argues that exclusivity in port work is a fundamental achievement to ensure employment, income and professional training for stevedores.