Caixa Econômica Federal Employees Begin National Indefinite Strike

Employees of Caixa Econômica Federal began a national strike for an indefinite period on Thursday, October 10, after rejecting the bank's proposal for the renewal of the Collective Labor Agreement. The paralization has led to the closure of branches in numerous regions, including São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Alagoas, Rio de Janeiro, and Amapá. A primary point of contention is the Saúde Caixa health plan, with workers citing concerns over the sustainability and cost of the plan. In some regions, such as Campinas and Uberlândia, unions reported 100 percent adherence to the strike.

Simultaneously, employees of Banco do Brasil have entered a partial strike. While some unions accepted the category's general agreement, others rejected it and opted for a stoppage. This partial strike is particularly evident in bases such as Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre, Pernambuco, and Florianópolis. The general Collective Labor Convention for bank workers, signed by the National Federation of Banks (Fenaban) and unions, includes a salary adjustment above inflation and a real increase of 0.6 percent over the next two years, alongside benefits for meal vouchers and mental health measures.

Caixa Econômica Federal stated that it remains open to dialogue and has returned to the negotiating table to reach an agreement that satisfies all parties. The bank advised customers to use digital channels, including the Caixa App, Internet Banking, WhatsApp, and ATMs. Additionally, lottery shops and Caixa Aqui correspondents remain operational for in person services. Banco do Brasil also directed customers to its digital platforms and telephone relationship centers during the partial stoppage.