Rio Bus Strike Suspended After Court Orders 80% Fleet to Run

Overview

• The Superior Labour Court (TST) ruled late Tuesday that companies must run at least 80% of the active fleet per line during the dispute and set daily fines of R$100,000 for the union with possible R$200,000 penalties if collusion is found.
• The Sindicato dos Rodoviários voted on Wednesday to suspend the strike until Monday, July 6, while keeping the category in a state of greve so the stoppage can resume if negotiations do not advance.
• City authorities reported buses returning to near‑normal levels on Thursday morning, with Mobi‑Rio saying BRT operation hit about 100% and the prefeitura reporting roughly 98% of conventional buses in service.
• Workers demand a 17% pay rise, higher minimum wages (R$5,000 for BRT drivers and R$4,000 for others), larger meal allowances and a 5x2 schedule, while employers have held to a 4.39% offer and say structural revenue shortfalls limit room to raise proposals.
• The three‑day stoppage produced long queues, overcrowded vehicles, reports of vandalism and a measurable drop in workplace attendance on the first day, leaving enforcement, passenger disruption and the outcome of Monday’s conciliation as the key next risks.