By Brazil Stock Guide – Brazil’s oil workers have voted to reject Petrobras’ (BVMF:PETR4) latest proposal for the 2025/26 Collective Labor Agreement, declaring a state of strike readiness and demanding the immediate resumption of negotiations, the Federação Única dos Petroleiros (FUP) said on Monday (Nov. 10).
According to Broadcast (Agência Estado), the result — reached by a broad majority in nationwide assemblies — signals widespread discontent with the company’s labor stance. FUP said the rejection reflects workers’ refusal to accept “setbacks in labor rights” or “cost-cutting measures detrimental to Petrobras employees.”
The union notified Petrobras, as well as its subsidiaries Transpetro, Petrobras Biocombustível (PBio), Araucária Nitrogenados (Ansa), Termobahia, and Transportadora Brasileira Gasoduto Bolívia-Brasil (TBG), demanding that talks resume immediately. A new round of negotiations is scheduled for Tuesday (Nov. 11), when Petrobras is expected to respond on the Voluntary Dismissal Plan (PDV) and recent unilateral changes in medical and dental staff work schedules.
“The result demonstrates the widespread dissatisfaction with the company’s posture,” the FUP said. “It reinforces workers’ determination not to accept any rollback of rights or cost-cutting measures promoted at the expense of the workforce.”
Key Labor Points and Financial Context
In their assemblies, oil workers reaffirmed three central demands: a definitive solution for Petros’ Deficit Adjustment Plans (PEDs); fair distribution of wealth created by the workforce; and resistance to privatizations and the company’s new business model — which includes private partnerships and outsourcing in fertilizer plants (Fafens) in Bahia and Sergipe, and PBio operations.
The union also linked its demands to Petrobras’ broader financial performance. The company reported strong quarterly earnings, supported by higher refining margins and robust export volumes. However, union leaders argue that record profits have not translated into proportional gains for workers.
“The recomposition of staff and the hiring of reserve candidates from past public exams are urgent issues,” FUP stated. “They are directly linked to workplace health, safety, and a fair and participatory energy transition.”
PLR Settlement and Negotiation Progress
Workers also approved the long-awaited Profit-Sharing (PLR) 2019 settlement, covering the first quarter of that year, when the prior collective agreement was still in effect.
“The agreement, reached through negotiations by FUP, ensured equal payments to all Petrobras system workers,” the union said. “It marks a victory for solidarity and unity after more than five years of persistent demands.”
Petrobras has yet to publicly comment on the union’s decision. Negotiations are set to continue this week amid increasing labor pressure and investor attention on potential operational disruptions.