Brasília – Yesterday bank workers in Brasilia met in a general assembly and voted to continue their strike which began on Wednesday. The striking bank workers decided that today they will have more pickets in front of the main offices of the countries biggest bank, the state-run Banco do Brasil, as well as the private-sector giants, Bradesco and Itaú. For tomorrow they have scheduled marches at various locations here in Brasilia.

The president of the bank workers union in Brasilia, Jacy Afonso, made it clear at the general assembly that the pickets must not interfere with client access to the banks. Court injunctions have already been issued ordering the union to allow clients to enter the banks.

It is reported that here in Brasilia 95% of the branches of the Caixa Economic Federal (also state-run) and Banco do Brasil only have ATMs working for clients.

The striking bank workers are demanding salary adjustments to cover losses due to inflation, plus a real increase of 17.68%, along with a share of bank profits.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Mauricio Cardoso
Translator: Allen Bennett
09/20/2004