Caixa Strike Ends as Labour Court Orders Staff Back
Brazil · Economy
Key Facts
—Strike over The TST ordered the national strike at Caixa ended on 29 September. It began on 10 September and ran almost three weeks.
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—Back at work Employees were due back by Wednesday 30 September, and branches resumed in-person service that day.
—Pay deal The court set raises of 100% of the INPC inflation index plus 0.6% for two years, with the same index applied to meal, childcare and similar benefits.
—Health plan The main impasse, Saúde Caixa, keeps its 2024 to 2026 rules, including a 3.5% holder contribution.
—Lost days No pay deductions, but the stopped days must be made up within 180 days.
—Election Sunday Brazilians vote on 4 October; Caixa is the paying agent for Bolsa Família and other federal benefits.
Brazil’s Superior Labour Court (TST) ended the national strike at Caixa Econômica Federal, the state-owned retail bank, on 29 September, almost three weeks after it began, and branches reopened on Wednesday 30 September, four days before Brazil votes for president.
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How the strike ended
Caixa workers walked out on 10 September after the bank and the unions failed to agree a new collective agreement. Members rejected several offers, and the TST, Brazil’s top labour court, took the case. On 25 September a TST rapporteur had already ordered at least 60% of staff per branch to stay at work during the stoppage, Agência Brasil reported.
On 29 September the court ruled the strike was not abusive, as the bank had argued, but ordered employees back at work immediately. It then set the terms itself. Raises are 100% of the INPC plus 0.6%, valid for two years, and the same index applies to food vouchers, childcare allowances and similar benefits.
The health-plan impasse
The core dispute was Saúde Caixa, the staff health plan. The court kept the rules of the 2024 to 2026 agreement, including the monthly holder contribution of 3.5% of pay, and updated values by the INPC plus 0.6%. That means the bank did not win the cost shift it had sought, and workers did not win a new cost split either.
Agência Brasil and Brasil 247 report that strikers will not lose pay for the stoppage but must make up the lost days within 180 days.
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Oct 2, 2026 · 03:29
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| Instrument | Last | Change | YoY | Prev. | High | Low | Volume |
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| PRIO3 | 59.14 | -0.19% | +50.67% | 59.25 | 59.81 | 58.74 | 3,325,600 |
| SUZB3 | 41.33 | +2.35% | -23.55% | 40.38 | 41.48 | 40.35 | 3,914,900 |
| RENT3 | 34.68 | -0.09% | +0.84% | 34.71 | 34.96 | 34.35 | 7,979,100 |
| AZZA3 | 15.89 | -2.63% | -53.76% | 16.32 | 16.42 | 15.82 | 1,330,300 |
| CSNA3 | 4.30 | +0.47% | -42.65% | 4.28 | 4.41 | 4.26 | 10,076,100 |
| GGBR4 | 24.69 | +2.19% | +51.38% | 24.16 | 24.85 | 24.18 | 7,047,600 |
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What it means for account holders
Branches resumed in-person service on 30 September, so appointments, housing-loan paperwork and benefit queries can go ahead again. Expect queues while the backlog clears, especially at busy city branches.
Pension payments are also moving. Brasil 247 reports that INSS payments to beneficiaries above the minimum wage began on 1 October, with two final card digits paid each day until 7 October. Foreign residents who receive federal benefits or housing finance through Caixa can use branches again, though digital access remains the faster route.
Why it matters for election week
Caixa pays Bolsa Família and other federal benefits, and Brazil votes for president on Sunday 4 October. A strike running into the vote would have raised the stakes for every payment cycle. Its end removes that risk.
What We Could Not Confirm
We could not confirm whether every branch was fully staffed on 2 October, or how quickly the delayed Minha Casa Minha Vida housing-loan approvals will clear. Caixa has not published a figure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Caixa Econômica Federal still on strike?
No. The Superior Labour Court (TST) ordered the strike ended on 29 September 2026, after it began on 10 September, and branches resumed service on 30 September.
Why were Caixa workers on strike?
The main dispute was the Saúde Caixa health plan, in particular how its costs are shared between the bank and employees, alongside pay in the new collective agreement.
What did the court decide?
The TST ruled the strike was not abusive but ordered staff back at once. Pay and benefits rise by 100% of the INPC inflation index plus 0.6% for two years, and Saúde Caixa keeps the 2024 to 2026 rules, including the 3.5% holder contribution.
Do striking workers lose pay for the days stopped?
Agência Brasil and Brasil 247 report no deductions, but the days must be made up within 180 days.
Are Caixa branches and benefit payments back to normal?
Branches resumed in-person service on 30 September. Brasil 247 reports that INSS pension payments to beneficiaries above the minimum wage began on 1 October, running through 7 October by final card digit.
Sources: Agência Brasil: TST orders end of Caixa strike, Brasil 247: strike ends, branches resume, CartaCapital: TST ends strike and orders lost days made up, The Rio Times: Caixa strike day 14
Clarification — 2 October 2026: An earlier version of this article, published on 2 October, said the strike was continuing on its 22nd day. That was wrong. The TST ended the strike on 29 September and branches reopened on 30 September. The article has been rewritten accordingly.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error
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