By Rodrigo Dutra & Mike Elk
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRASIL – On Wednesday, in Rio de Janeiro, thousands of educators, members of the National Education Workers Alliance (CNTE), went on strike as part of a nationwide strike that mobilized over 150,000 educators and school employees from various unions throughout the country.
In Rio de Janeiro, hundreds of teachers and school support employees gathered on the steps of Rio City Hall with signs and banners reading “Stop Paying Us the Lowest Salary in Brazil.” Others carried signs that read, “Claudio Castro Pay Us the Minimum Wage!” denouncing Claudio Castro, the Bolsonaro-aligned governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The teachers were demanding answers from Rio de Janeiro Mayor Eduardo Paes, a centrist Lula supporter, and Rio de Janeiro State Governor Claudio Castro, a Bolsonaro ally, about why both their administrations have failed to implement a wage increase promised to them by federal law more than 14 years.
The teachers and school support staff also demanded repealing the draconian education reform known as ‘New High School.’ The unpopular measure was passed by Michel Temer, the neoliberal President of Brazil, who was installed by a coalition of Bolsonaro allies and centrist business interests in 2017 after Lula’s successor Dilma was removed from office in a move widely considered a “coup” by many international observers.
The 24-hour strike mobilized 150,000 workers and students in all of Brazil’s 27 states. Wednesday’s...
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