The Furniture Industry Association of Bento Gonçalves (Sindmóveis) and the Trade Union of Construction and Furniture Industry Workers of Bento Gonçalves (Sitracom) signed this Monday, March 31, the Collective Bargaining Agreement in force from February 2014 to January 2015. The agreement was reached three months in advance compared to last year, when the percentages were only agreed in July. The pay rise was 7.26% for wages up to R$ 4,520.00 and 5.26% for professionals who receive above this amount.

The development of the document was accompanied by the legal departments of both entities and was signed by their respective presidents, Henrique Tecchio and Itajiba Soares Lopes. The terms of the agreement include wage levels and benefits to workers and guaranteed the maintenance of all social and economic clauses set forth in previous agreements for the category, which is in force on February 1st. 

According to the collective bargaining agreement, the starting salary for this category (for a 60-day trial period) is R$ 970. The intermediate salary is $ 1,000 and after six months working for a company, the employee shall receive R$ 1,130. The increase is retroactive to February 1st, 2014 and the difference will be paid in April. Additionally, a wage advance of 2.7% was determined for August 2014 and childcare assistance increased from 11% to 12% of the standard wage. 

The labor law director of Sindmóveis, Alexandre Michelin, explains that the negotiation process went smoothly. The main topic of discussion was the definition of the percentage of the actual gain to be granted, which is directly influenced by the forecast for the performance of the furniture sector. Still, in five meetings the union and the association reached an agreement. "The agreed percentage was the result of an intense and profound debate based on the analysis of the performance of the furniture industry in the last 12 months and the future prospects of the sector," says Michelin.

The President of Sitracom BG, Itajiba Soares Lopes, who joined the negotiation commission, acknowledged that figures add up in favor of workers, but also advocates higher wages for the category. "We have highly skilled workforce that adds great value to the furniture produced here," he says.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement sets the basis of the minimum wage schedule for more than 385 companies in the furniture center of Bento Gonçalves, comprising a total of 8,800 workers.