São Paulo Metro Workers Set to Vote on Joining Railway Strike Amid Privatization Tensions
Railway workers' planned strike against privatization could disrupt daily commutes for hundreds of thousands.
São Paulo is bracing for potential transportation chaos as metro workers prepare to vote on whether to join railway workers' strike starting early Wednesday morning, March 26, 2025. The railway workers at the Companhia Paulista de Trens Metropolitanos (CPTM) have announced their intention to strike in response to government plans to privatize crucial train lines, a move that workers fear will jeopardize their jobs and the quality of transport services.
On the evening of March 25, at 8 PM, the meta workers will hold an assembly to decide their course of action regarding the railway workers' planned strike. If they choose to join the strike, they will be required, by law, to inform the Metrô management a minimum of 72 hours before the strike begins.
The railway workers' strike is set to commence at midnight on March 26, aiming at protesting against the policies of São Paulo’s Governor Tarcísio de Freitas. Specifically, it challenges the privatization of three key railway lines: 11-Coral, 12-Safira, and 13-Jade. These lines carry around 830,000 passengers daily, reflecting the significant impact a strike could have on the city's transport system.
A demonstration by CPTM employees occurred earlier on March 25 in front of the B3 Stock Exchange, where the government plans to auction the lines. Lucas Dametto Rocha, a train operator and protest leader, emphasized the need for solidarity among workers, stating, "The intention is to unify all workers in struggle." He expressed concerns about layoffs resulting from privatization, saying, "Tarcísio made it clear that the next target will be the metro.”
The looming privatization auction, scheduled for March 28, has raised eyebrows among the union and the public alike, fearing that it will result in job losses and worse service quality, as seen in previous privatizations. The union contends that privatization efforts often lead to deteriorating service conditions. He pointed to other lines, specifically the 8-Diamante and 9-Esmeralda lines, which have experienced significant operational challenges since being privatized.
Despite the government's defense of the auction, claiming it will inject R$ 14.3 billion in 25 years to modernize the system, including constructing new stations and reducing train intervals, workers are skeptical. In a comment to the press, a railway employee, who wished to remain anonymous, suggested that commuters should consider staying home instead of attempting to travel, saying, "It's better to stay home if you plan to take the train tomorrow."
As the situation escalates, commuters are hearing warnings from public transport workers about possible disruptions, with many starting to plan alternative routes, anticipate traffic congestion, and brace themselves for the delays that always accompany strikes. There is a palpable feeling of anxiety among the public as they prepare for what could be a tumultuous commute during the week when the state plans to proceed with privatization efforts.
The history of critical failures in the already privatized lines has fueled the anxiety among workers and commuters. The CPTM workers emphasize that going private does not guarantee better management. Recent incidents also underscore their apprehensions, with some workers expressing fears of mass layoffs as the government pushes forward with its planned sale of these lines.
The proposed privatization plan also involves commitments, such as new station constructions and reducing wait times to as little as three minutes. Yet many veterans in the workforce argue that these promises are too vague, particularly given the prior failures experienced in privatization efforts in São Paulo.
On March 25, the atmosphere among workers was one of determination. After issuing the call for a strike, the assembly later that evening was expected to make official the workers’ united stance against the privatization plan. Union leaders reaffirmed the need for collective action and voiced their intent to bolster their negotiation efforts with the state, although they warned that any negotiation would only proceed if Tarcísio de Freitas canceled the privatization auction.
Although the future remains uncertain, the implications for the hundreds of thousands who rely on these services are considerable. Should the strike take place as scheduled, it will not only affect daily commutes but will also provoke significant disruption across the metropolitan transit landscape.
The privatization auction is scheduled for March 28 at the B3 stock exchange, which will set the stage for potential long-term changes in transportation management and throw the future of the railway system into contention.
Working commuters from the eastern region must now decide how they will contend with upcoming disruptions, as many anticipate a dive into chaos as public transit comes to a standstill.
