CPTM Railway Workers Launch Indefinite Strike on Three São Paulo Lines

Railway workers of the Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM) began an indefinite strike at midnight on Tuesday, affecting lines 11-Coral, 12-Safira, and 13-Jade. In response to the disruption, the São Paulo City Hall suspended the municipal vehicle rotation for the day. Other train lines, including the Metro and lines 7, 8, 9, and 10, continue to operate normally.

The strike follows a period of instability after the private company Trivia Trens took over the concession of the affected lines. Following a wagon fire on July 23 and other technical failures, the government of São Paulo ordered CPTM to reassume operation of the lines for 90 days to ensure service quality. The workers are protesting the privatization and demanding formal guarantees regarding job security.

The government of São Paulo and CPTM expressed regret over the strike, stating that they had offered concrete commitments during negotiations on Monday. These proposals included the potential absorption of employees by other state agencies and inclusion in the Iamspe health assistance system. The state government also sought a court order from the Regional Labor Court (TRT), which mandated that 80 percent of the workforce operate during peak hours and 60 percent during other periods. The court established a daily fine of 400,000 reais for the union if these requirements are not met.

While center and center-left sources focus on the operational failures of the private concessionaire and the workers' demands for job security, the government framing emphasizes the negative impact of the strike on the commuting population and characterizes the move as a political pressure tactic.