Workers approve proposal to resume operations at AVIBRAS and end 1280-day strike. On the 10th and 11th, they verified the amounts to be received. Photos by Lucas Lacaz Ruiz, Special for DefesaNet.
DefesaNet Editorial Staff,
March 11, 2026.
Photos by Lucas Lacaz Ruiz. Special for DefesaNet.
Updated article. Video included. March 12, 2026.
DefesaNet Note:
See the article in Portuguese
AVIBRAS – Fim da Greve de 1280 Dias. Passo Inicial para uma nova Era
The company AVIBRAS issued a statement at the end of the night on March 11, 2026.
AVIBRAS – Statement, March 11, 2026
The Editor
In a crucial assembly, workers at AVIBRAS Aerospace Industry , located in Jacareí, approved on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) the proposal for payment of the company’s accumulated labor debt. With the approval, the activities of the country’s main arms industry should resume in April, after three years without continuous production.
The assembly also brought an end to the 1280-day strike , which began on September 9, 2022, against the delay in salary payments. This was one of the longest and most important strikes ever held in the country.
The approved proposal for settling labor debts totals R$ 230 million. The plan for paying off this debt foresees installments of 12 to 48 payments, according to each worker’s salary range. In total, 1,400 people are owed money.
The faces represent two moments, from skepticism to confidence in the future. Photo by Lucas Lacaz Ruiz, special for DefesaNet.
To resume operations, AVIBRAS management will lay off all 850 workers currently registered at the factory, settle debts according to the installment plan, and rehire 450 people. The process of layoffs, settlements, and new hires will take place between March and April.
The terms for the payment of the labor debt were discussed with the Metalworkers Union of São José dos Campos and Region , which submitted the company’s proposal to the workers’ assembly. (see table below)
Large turnout of participants for the Assembly. Photos by Lucas Lacaz Ruiz, Special for DefesaNet.
Judgment
The São Paulo Court of Justice rejected, in a ruling on Tuesday (March 10, 2026), a request from creditors linked to the financial market to annul the alternative judicial reorganization plan. If the request had been approved, Avibras’ recovery plan would have been compromised.
History
The workers’ struggle for jobs and wages began on March 18, 2022 , when the company announced 420 layoffs , which were later canceled, and filed for bankruptcy protection.
Month after month, AVIBRAS began to delay salary payments, leading employees to go on strike on September 9, 2022.
During this period, the Union remained at the forefront of the struggles and demands that the federal government take measures to defend the workers and ensure the survival of AVIBRAS.
“This is a historic assembly for the Union. Over four years, the Union organized workers for a struggle that should also have involved the federal government, but at no point did we receive that support. It was a very difficult period for the workers, who went more than 30 months without pay and without state support. Each of the fighters deserves recognition for their strength and resistance,” says the Union president, Weller Gonçalves.
The terminations will be approved by the union, and the FGTS (Brazilian severance fund) payment will be made with 40% of the fund balance. For the remaining amounts, a payment schedule has been established based on salary range:
Salary Range (R$) | Number of Installments
Up to 4,000 | 12 |
From 4,000 to 5,000 | 22 |
From 5,000 to 8,000 | 30 |
From 8,000 to 10,000 | 36 |
From 10,000 to 12,500 | 40 |
Above 12,500 | 48 |
Latest services provided by the Union teams. Photos by Lucas Lacaz Ruiz, Special for DefesaNet.
2024-2026 Agreement and Social Compensation
For the period from 2024 to 2026, the company’s proposal is to pay 30% of the amounts, while the remaining 70% will be activated as soon as a new contract with the army is signed.
The “social compensation” paid to workers who do not return is not considered salary, therefore there is no income tax deduction (27.5%), and it is a net amount.
Workers nearing retirement can choose to convert this severance pay into salary, although this subjects the amount to normal tax charges.
Situation of B-94 Workers (work-related injury problems)
There are approximately 50 workers classified as B-94.
Negotiators representing the Union: Union President, Weller Gonçalves , and lawyer Neto
Next Steps
210 workers will be called back this month, and another 240 starting in June.
Those who are not called back will remain at home, receiving social security benefits while maintaining all their entitlements.
The layoffs are scheduled for the 13th, with the call-ups starting on the 16th.
