Workers from the Brazilian public health system in São Paulo have decided to initiate a strike starting on July 16, 2025. This decision was made during an assembly held at the Health Secretary’s offices of São Paulo State. The workers are part of SindSaúde-SP, which is affiliated with UNI Americas.
Gervásio Foganholi, president of SindSaúde-SP, voiced the concerns of the workers who have been waiting for a response from the state government regarding their proposal for annual contract negotiations. He pointed out the negative effects of privatizing the state health system on both workers and patients. “It is unacceptable that the richest state in the country leaves some healthcare workers without any wage increase, pays only 12 reais per working day in meal benefits, and continues to privatise the entire public health system,” he stated.
Following the approval of the strike, hundreds of workers marched to Avenida Paulista, causing traffic disruptions and gaining support from various unions and union federations. SindSaúde-SP is now preparing for a strike that will involve employees from numerous public health units across São Paulo.
Lucía Lindner, Regional Director of UNI Americas, expressed solidarity with SindSaúde-SP members. “UNI Americas stands in solidarity with our comrades from SindSaúde-SP, who are on the front lines resisting Governor Tarcísio’s attacks on the SUS in São Paulo. We will not allow a public system on which millions of people rely to be dismantled, nor will we stand by and let the state government trample the rights of those people whose hard work makes the system function,” she said.
