In São Paulo, the stage is set for a significant showdown between railway workers and the state government, triggered by the ongoing debate surrounding privatization. Following a decisive assembly held on March 20, 2025, employees of the Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM) have declared a strike that will commence at midnight on March 26, 2025. This unrest stems from fears surrounding the impending auction of the CPTM's lines 11-Coral, 12-Safira, and 13-Jade, which the government plans to auction at B3, the São Paulo stock exchange, on March 28, 2025.
The decision to strike was not taken lightly. Approximately 4,200 railway workers are concerned about potential layoffs resulting from privatization initiatives. Should the auction proceed, these employees fear not only job losses but a significant decline in service quality for the millions of passengers relying on these crucial transport routes. Junior de Sousa, a representative of the Movement Luta de Classes (MLC), stated emphatically, “Everyone wishes for this strike to happen. What we need is unity in the struggle, so the Tarcísio government is forced to cancel the auction definitively, and he cannot touch any railway worker's job. We won't let any line of the CPTM be privatized; no worker will bow their head.”
In the wake of this declaration, the CPTM workers plan to paralyze operations on several lines. The strike is expected to affect not just the targeted lines, but also disrupt services on lines 7-Rubi and 10-Turquesa, which will add to the turmoil in São Paulo’s already congested transit system. Furthermore, there is a demonstration slated for March 25 at 9 AM in front of the B3 stock exchange to demand the cancellation of the planned auction.
During the assembly, emotions ran high as participants voiced their concerns about the future of public transportation in São Paulo. Workers collectively condemned Governor Tarcísio de Freitas' approach to privatization. Many believe that selling off state assets represents a perilous shift towards prioritizing profits at the expense of public service. One union leader noted, “This strike is a way to protest against the commercialization of public transport, which should primarily serve the population, not profit.”
The stakes are particularly high given the scale of investment involved in the privatization proposal. The auction for lines 11, 12, and 13 is part of a significant project estimated at R$ 14.3 billion over 25 years. As these lines connect the central regions of the capital to areas such as Mogi das Cruzes and Guarulhos, it also raises questions not only about employment but also about the implications for millions relying on public transit.
As the countdown to the strike ticks down, passengers of these lines are left in a bind as uncertainty looms over their daily commutes. The anticipated service interruptions and unrest could disrupt thousands of commuters across the metropolitan region, particularly as they continue to grapple with the impact that privatization may bring.
The state government's handling of the situation has been met with growing unease and frustration, particularly after there has been no official response regarding the workers' demands or the strike itself. The union's stance is clear: the strike will persist until there is a formal reconsideration of the auction plan.
Moreover, the union has indicated that if any employee faces dismissal due to their participation in this strike, the protests will intensify. “If there are any layoffs due to the strike, it will not end, and the mobilization of the category will escalate,” declared a union spokesperson, reinforcing the deep-seated determination of the workers.
The broader implications of this collective action reach beyond the immediate workers' rights; it serves as a potential flashpoint for broader labor movements throughout Brazil. The current tensions underscore a fundamental struggle over public vs. private interests and the role of workers' rights in shaping public service delivery.
As the situation unfolds, many will be watching closely, not only for the outcome of the upcoming auction but also for how the tensions between government agendas and worker rights will play out in the months ahead.
In the midst of this climate of uncertainty, workers remain resolute. The next few days will be critical in determining whether the strike will achieve its objectives and if the government will heed the demands of those providing essential services to the public.
Thus, the unfolding narrative is charged with anticipation: Will the government respond to the demands for worker protections and service quality, or will privatization proceed unchecked, altering the landscape of public transportation forever?
