Kelly Oliveira and Wellton Máximo      Reporters Agência Brasil

Brasília – Yesterday, September 28, banks went on strike. According to the bank worker’s union (“ Confederação Nacional dos Trabalhadores do Ramo Financeiro - Contraf-CUT”), 4,191 branches and administrative centers of both private and public banks were closed down (for the sake of comparison, last year’s strike closed down 3,864). Bank workers are demanding a salary increase of 12.8% (which works out to a real increase of 5%); the problem is that banks are offering an increase 0.56% above inflation). Spokespersons for one of the banking federations, Fenaban, says the strike is not justifiable as negotiations were underway and the bankers offering an attractive package of salary increases, higher entrance salary levels, expanded benefits and participation in profits.

Meanwhile, the National Bank Federation (“Febraban”) says it will ensure that clients do not have problems because of the strike. Febraban says there are 179,000 internet channels available for banking operations: ATMs, internet banking and mobile (cell phone) banking. There are also 165,000 non-bank correspondents, such as lottery retailers, post offices, supermarkets and other authorized commercial establishments where banking operations can take place.

A small problem with the list is that the post office is also on strike – 15 days and counting - and many people will have problems getting their bills as they come in the mail. There was an attempt by Febraban to negotiate an extension period for bills because of the strikes, but financial institutions refused.

Allen Bennett – translator/editor The News in English

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