Rail workers in São Paulo have extended a strike on three CPTM train lines for an indefinite period starting Wednesday, Aug. 5 [1], [2].
The labor action disrupts critical transit for thousands of commuters and signals deepening tension between the union and the state government over the privatization of rail services.
The strike affects the 11-Coral, 12-Safira, and 13-Jade lines [2]. Union representatives said the decision to maintain the walkout followed a general assembly where workers demanded formal guarantees that jobs would be preserved during the service concession process [3]. The strike also serves as a protest against current state government policies [3], [4].
City infrastructure struggled to absorb the displaced passengers. On Tuesday morning, Aug. 4, traffic congestion in São Paulo reached between 1,000 km [4] and 1,143 km [5] as commuters shifted to road travel.
To mitigate the total collapse of the transit system, a judicial order has mandated a minimum staffing level [1]. This order requires 80% of the workforce to be present during peak hours, specifically from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and 60% during all other periods [1].
Despite these minimum requirements, the union has maintained its position that the strike will continue until the state government provides the requested employment security [3]. The city has suspended vehicle rotation rules to help manage the increased volume of cars on the road [1].
“The strike affects the 11-Coral, 12-Safira, and 13-Jade lines”
This strike highlights the volatility of São Paulo's transition toward privatized rail infrastructure. By targeting three high-traffic lines, the union is leveraging the city's extreme vulnerability to transit disruptions to force the government into binding labor agreements. The scale of the resulting traffic congestion underscores how dependent the regional economy is on the CPTM network, suggesting that any further escalation could lead to significant economic losses for the city.
