After four days of disruption, the bus drivers' strike in São Luís, Maranhão, has officially come to an end. This significant resolution was reached on Thursday afternoon, February 20, 2025, following the decision by the President of the Regional Labor Court of the 16th Region, Desembargadora Márcia Andrea Farias da Silva, who ruled on the collective litigation concerning the workers' demands. The court mandated a salary increase of 7% for the bus drivers and a 10% raise for their food vouchers.
The strike, which began on February 17, 2025, affected the daily commute of approximately 340,000 individuals who rely on the city's bus system. After extensive discussions, the union representing these drivers, the Sindicato dos Trabalhadores em Transportes Rodoviários do Maranhão (STTREMA), decided to suspend the strike instead of awaiting the final ruling on the economic claims.
During the four days of the strike, the public transportation system faced severe limitations. While the semi-urban bus lines continued to operate, the bulk of urban public transport was heavily disrupted, highlighting the significant dependence of the population on this mode of transportation. Many commuters were forced to seek costlier alternatives, such as mototaxis and app-based rides, exacerbated by the slow response from city officials.
According to reports, City Mayor Eduardo Braide had initiated the provision of vouchers for app-based transport services to alleviate the impact of the strike. These temporary measures enabled city residents who required transportation, particularly those undergoing medical treatments such as chemotherapy and hemodialysis, to access the necessary services through subsidized app rides.
Desembargadora Farias da Silva’s rulings included not just the wage adjustments but also ensured the continuity of previous bargaining conditions under the Collective Bargaining Agreement of 2024. This means other economic demands from the bus drivers remain unsolved and are set for future negotiations. The union's initial demands had included requests for substantial wage increases—15% for bus drivers working alongside conductors and 25% for those who also act as conductors.
Despite the judicial resolution, the situation remains tense. The court has mandated the union to maintain operations of at least 80% of the bus fleet, with penalties stipulated for non-compliance, amounting to R$ 100,000 per day. This decision aims to mitigate the risk of similar disruptions impacting the populace again.
Following the conclusion of the strike, São Luís residents are once again facing the challenges of their daily commutes. The city's public transport system, even when operational, has historically struggled with overcrowding and inadequate vehicle maintenance, often leaving passengers with suboptimal service.
While this latest round of negotiations has resulted in immediate relief for bus drivers and commuters, it marks just another chapter in São Luís's challenging public transport saga. The city is under increased pressure to address systematic issues within its transportation infrastructure, including the need for expanded services and proper funding to meet the demands of its growing population.
The Mayor's plan to consult the public about service proposals is seen as pivotal for the future of the city’s transit system. The Municipality has initiated processes to hire new transport companies alongside continuing negotiations with current service providers—a move met with mixed reactions from stakeholders within the transport sector.
With talks still pending on the remaining economic disputes, the focus turns now to the actual implementation of the awarded pay increases and ensuring full service restoration for the benefit of everyday commuters. The final judgment on the overlapping economic issues awaits the court's attention as both parties continue to navigate their complex relationship.
The resolution of this strike highlights the delicate balance between labor rights and public service needs, raising questions about how effectively local governments can mediate such situations. The coming weeks will be telling as both the union and transport companies adapt to this new chapter.