São Paulo – Four metalworkers’ unions and Volkswagen reached a proposal for an agreement to reduce costs, which will be voted on in the coming days by the automaker’s workers. In the case of the ABC union, the assembly at the São Bernardo do Campo factory was scheduled for next Tuesday (15), at 2 pm.

Three weeks ago, the company expressed its intention to discuss flexibility measures in the four plants installed in Brazil (São Bernardo, São Carlos and Taubaté, in the state of São Paulo, and São José dos Pinhais, in Paraná). According to unionists, the plan would include a 35% reduction in labor – around 5,200 of the 15,000 employees. The negotiated proposal provides for a five-year job guarantee.

Assembly decides

This stability is positive in view of the economic scenario, evaluates the president of the ABC Metalworkers Union, Wagner Santana, Wagnão, who is a worker at Volks. But he remembers that it will be up to the metallurgists to evaluate the whole of what was discussed. “The proposal guarantees employment and has its conditions and costs, given the current scenario. We expect a massive presence of companions, including those who are away, in lay-off, home office or vacation, so they can vote and decide ”, he said. The São Bernardo unit, the largest of the four, has approximately 8,600 employees.

The proposal includes the opening of a voluntary dismissal program (POS), with the possibility of a second period. For this year, the readjustment should be replaced by an allowance of R $ 6 thousand, paid together with the second installment of profit sharing (PLR).

Adjustment and PLR

In 2021, if the accumulated inflation (INPC) is above 3.5%, the company will pay the difference. A similar rule will be adopted the following year, if the sum exceeds 5%. Inflation will only be paid in full from 2023 to 2025, always in the period accumulated in 12 months, until February. The PLR ​​amount will be adjusted by INPC. But it can change if the production volume exceeds the limit of 580 thousand vehicles in the four factories.

The proposal also provides for the possibility of using the lay-off, up to the limit of 10 months, with remuneration corresponding to 82.5% of the net salary. The payment of the 13th and the PLR ​​will be calculated considering proportionality criteria.

In the salary table, there will be a 12-month progression freeze for all hourly workers (linked to production). A new salary scale will be implemented, with lower values, applied to those who are admitted after 2021.

Retirement and illness

For hired until December 31 of this year, the stability clauses do not change until retirement. Those who are admitted as of next year, “who become carriers of occupational or occupational disease, will have their employment contract guaranteed for a maximum period of 48 months, counted from the return to work due to medical discharge” says the ABC union.

The proposal also speaks of “shared” production between the factories in São Bernardo and Taubaté. In addition, “it guarantees exclusivity at the Anchieta plant for the production of Saveiro and its successor, when confirmed”.