RIO DE JANEIRO: Oil workers in Brazil are preparing to enter a strike starting October 11 if the state-run energy giant Petrobras does not boost its latest salary offer by Wednesday, the union announced on Monday. The oil giant and the Brazilian Oil Workers Federation (FUP) are to hold another round of discussions on Wednesday as they attempt to agree on a salary increase for the workers. The FUP is the negotiator for 12 unions across the South American country and represents around 60,000 of Petrobras's 75,000 workforce. Petrobras was unavailable for comment on the latest developments when contacted by Bikyamasr.com on Monday. Union officials are scheduled to then meet Thursday to discuss results of the previous day's talks and the potential strike. Workers will hold meetings between Friday and October 10 to vote, the FUP spokeswoman said. “If Petrobras doesn't raise their proposal on Wednesday, then workers will vote on a broader strike that would likely target oil production and fuel supplies,” the union spokeswoman said. The strike, if approved by the workers, would begin on October 11.
